After the cancellation of the Amstel Gold Race in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 edition served up a thrilling photo finish finale, with Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) edging out Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) but a margin so thin it took the jury 20 long minutes to pick the winner.
Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was third while Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) won the bunch sprint for fourth.
The modified course, a 17km circuit around Valkenburg, and Maastricht that included the Geulhemmerberg, Bemelerberg and Cauberg made for an equally selective race.
Nicola Conci (Trek-Segafredo) sparked the winning move when he attacked over the Cauberg with 18km to go and was joined by Van Aert, Pidcock, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep), Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) and Schachmann.
Kwiatkowski attacked, and as Alaphilippe struggled, a chasing group came together behind him with Pidcock, Van Aert, Schachmann, Matthews and Richard Carapaz.
The Polish rider was caught on the Geulhemmerberg after a chase from Schachmann, and Pidcock countered, taking Van Aert and Schachmann along. In the sprint, Pidcock clung to Van Aert's wheel and sprang around in the final 150m and threw himself at the line but was a hair's width short.
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2021 Amstel Gold Race results
Pos.
Rider Name (Country) Team
Result
1
Wout Van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
5:03:27
2
Thomas Pidcock (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers
3
Max Schachmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe
0:00:02
4
Michael Matthews (Aus) Team BikeExchange
5
Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team
6
Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Deceuninck-QuickStep
7
Kristian Sbaragli (Ita) Alpecin-Fenix
8
Matej Mohoric (Slo) Bahrain Victorious
9
Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Ineos Grenadiers
10
Tosh Van Der Sande (Bel) Lotto Soudal
Amstel Gold Race 2021 Teams
AG2R Citroën Team
Astana-Premier Tech
Bahrain Victorious
Bora-Hansgrohe
Cofidis
Deceuninck-QuickStep
EF Education-Nippo
Groupama-FDJ
Ineos Grenadiers
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
Israel Start-up Nation
Jumbo-Visma
Lotto Soudal
Movistar Team
Team BikeExchange
Team DSM
Team Qhubeka Assos
Trek-Segafredo
UAE Team Emirates
Alpecin-Fenix
Bingoal WB
Gazprom-RusVelo
Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
Team Arkea-Samsic
Uno-X Pro Cycling Team
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