April 28/01 11:26 am - Amstel Gold Race

Posted by Editor on 04/28/01
 

Amstel Gold World Cup #5 - Netherlands

Erik Dekker (Rabobank) has won the fifth round of the World Cup, the 254.5 kilometre Amstel Gold Race, in a two-up sprint over Lance Armstrong (U.S. Postal). Armstrong attacked with approximately 40 kilometres to go, shortly after a long break away containing team mate George Hincapie and Andrei Tchmil (Lotto) was caught. The earlier breakaway went 25 kilometres into the race and initially contained 20 riders. It reached a maximum gap of over 8 minutes before the peloton started to slowly reel it back in. By the time the break was caught with just under 50 kilometres remaining in the race, there were only 5 left at the front, and the chase group was down to 30, including Armstrong, Dekker, Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), Johan Museeuw (Domo), Michel Bartoli (Mapei), Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) and Peter van Petegem (Mercury-Viatel).

Armstrong's attack was so strong that only Eddy Mazzonleni (Tacconi-Vini Caldirola) could go with him. Mazzonleni was dropped shortly afterwards as Dekker bridged up. With Armstrong doing most of the work, particularly on the climbs, the gap increased steadily to a minute and then a minute and a half. Behind, the chase was fragmented, with Bartoli, Museeuw and van Petegem leading.

Armstrong tried to drop Dekker on the last major climb (the Cauberg), but could not shake the Rabobank rider. The pair worked together well over the last 10 kilometres, holding the gap steady at 1 minute. Either way at the finish, Dekker would take over the World Cup leader's jersey, but there was intense pressure for a Dutch win in a Dutch race by a Dutch team...

The duo began to play cat and mouse in the final kilometre, and Serge Baguet (Lotto) was bearing down on them, alone in third after attacking the chase group. Finally, both Armstrong and Dekker went, with the Dutch rider easily taking the win. Baguet hung on for third, followed by Marcus Zberg (Rabobank), Museeuw and van Petegem.


Women's Amstel Gold Race results