In a dramatic turn of events at the Amstel Gold Race in the Netherlands, Danish cyclist Mattias Skjelmose secured an exhilarating victory, narrowly defeating renowned competitor Tadej Poga?ar by the smallest of margins in a gripping conclusion on Sunday.
The race culminated in a thrilling three-way sprint to the finish line. While Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel initially looked set to clinch the win, Poga?ar managed to edge ahead within just meters to go. However, Skjelmose, exhibiting remarkable determination, surged down the left side to clinch victory at the line.
This achievement represents the most significant triumph in Skjelmose’s career, leaving the 24-year-old overwhelmed with emotion when the photo finish confirmed his win in the prestigious Ardennes classic.
For Poga?ar, who already boasts an impressive record including three Tour de France victories and multiple classic wins, this finish marked a rare setback. He was also second at the Paris-Roubaix classic the previous weekend. Though he had emerged victorious at the Amstel race in 2023, his attempt to defend the title this year was thwarted.
The race’s 255.9-kilometer journey saw Poga?ar launching a potent attack with approximately 40 kilometers remaining. However, as he continually glanced back, his lead dwindled to a mere 15 seconds, with Evenepoel and Skjelmose closely trailing as they approached the 20-kilometer mark. The leading duo caught up with Poga?ar with just 8 kilometers to go. As the finish line neared, Evenepoel led the charge with Poga?ar closely behind, and Skjelmose strategically positioned behind them.
Despite Evenepoel making a strong initial move, it seemed premature. Even so, it was an exceptional performance from the 25-year-old Belgian cyclist, marking a significant milestone in his comeback after sustaining severe injuries in a crash last year. Astonishingly, he had only just returned to racing, winning the Brabantse Pijl race in Belgium only days earlier.
Evenepoel is ranked amongst cycling elite alongside Tadej Poga?ar and Mathieu van der Poel, the latter of whom secured his third consecutive victory at the Roubaix race last Sunday. Evenepoel’s resilience is noteworthy, having conquered both the road race and time trial at the last year’s Paris Olympics, despite enduring multiple fractures and a dislocated collarbone in an accident while training in Belgium last December.
Meanwhile, defending champion Tom Pidcock, who has twice claimed Olympic gold in mountain biking, concluded the race in ninth place.
The challenging course originated in Maastricht, encompassing 34 climbs, including three grueling ascents of the renowned Cauberg, before concluding in Valkenburg.
On the women’s front, Dutch cyclist Mischa Bredewold triumphed in her race earlier on Sunday, prevailing over fellow Dutch competitors Ellen van Dijk and Puck Pieterse. This trio had broken away from a 23-rider group following the second ascent of Cauberg. Bredewold completed the 157.3-kilometer course in just over four hours, with Van Dijk and Pieterse finishing seven seconds behind her.