Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-QuickStep) claimed Amstel Gold Race with a powerful sprint finish after the explosive ascent of the Cauberg ultimately failed to separate the pre-race favourites.
In seeing off Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) in the group finish, Kwiatkowski notched up his first win in the rainbow jersey of world champion and highlighted his credentials for Liège-Bastogne-Liège next Sunday.
The last haul up the Cauberg is the centrepiece of the race, but the action was not limited to those final kilometres. Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and former time trial world champion Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) were among the escapees ahead of a breathless finale where Philippe Gilbert (BMC) approached the Cauberg with his usual gusto.
Amstel Gold Race always provides one of the most gripping denouements of the entire season, and you can watch highlights of the race and those tense final kilometres below.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1