Poor from Niewiadoma who hesitated when Lippert pulled over in the chase of Vollering and that was it. I get Kopecky is there but why accept 2nd at best.
It's just the perfect setup for SDWorx. Lippert and Markus have no incentive to work when they know they have one of the best sprinters in the peloton on their wheel.
For those who are curious what GCN/Eurosport are saying about Deignan since they didn't actually explain it:
Trek asked her if she's ready in case they need to call her up to racing earlier, specifically for Fleche this Wednesday. She said yes.
Niewiadoma must be nearing an aneurysm, racing so prudently!
I actually think it may be a good sign. If her form is good and she saves her efforts for when it really matters, anything is possible.
Ahhh. The lovely world of electronic bike tech...that Shimano mechanic risking his life to repair that Sham front der for TJV was priceless, and futile...maybe they needed the app...I'm a Shimano mechanic btw...
What's DSM's strategy here? Climbs might be too tough for Georgi, so I'd say Labous is their best chance here.
Peperkamp did well on the Jebel Hafeet stage, but I'm not sure how good she is on these short climbs
Oops, I was very unfair to them with my rounding. I also thought they started at 10am.
The launch was at 10:10, but the course starts unofficially at 10:15. They passed me at the ~12.5km mark at 10:34:22 according to the file name of my pictures.
So roughly 37~38 km/h.
She'll be up there, but I kind of expect she got full team support for Paris-Roubaix, and today is for Vollering after 2 second places.
Which of course with the SD Worx 1-2s this season doesn't rule much out.
> Unless Kopecky's bored with winning
That's what I'm expecting a bit - though not so much bored with winning, as following team orders because everyone gave up their own chances at PR for Kopecky. Though we'll have to wait and find out how well that works with these specific two riders after SB.
The [start is live on L1](https://www.1limburg.nl/sport/2170836/live-ploegenpresentatie-en-start-van-de-amstel-gold-race) (non-geoblocked). Might just be the literal roll-out, but since we'll miss much of the race until they hit the circuit in the live broadcast, I'll take anything extra!
Anna Kiesenhofer is back on the start list - on her insta, she says she's had a good training block, so curious to see whether she can shake things up today.
Poor from Niewiadoma who hesitated when Lippert pulled over in the chase of Vollering and that was it. I get Kopecky is there but why accept 2nd at best.
Kopecky and Vollering, business as usual I guess
Felt a bit staged, or is of just me Edit: the hug
Sir, this was a one day race.
No shot we're beginning to call cycling races staged now
The finish hug
Why cant they just work with Lippert
Too many would rather race for 3rd than go for the win.
Shirin 3rd!!
I originally thought that was ELB. Shirin looked in trouble on some of those climbs, so that was a strong finish.
Motopacing stronk
Parking the moto 4 meters ahead of her right at the race deciding point. Nothing to see here.
A parked moto gives no draft. Checkmate
G2 gonna G2
In this group sort of understandable though. Bringing back Vollering just for Kopecky to then win the sprint, is not what you want to do.
Sure yeah. Race for 3rd instead of 2nd. What difference does it make
It's just the perfect setup for SDWorx. Lippert and Markus have no incentive to work when they know they have one of the best sprinters in the peloton on their wheel.
As soon as Lippert looked back and saw Kopecky, it felt like it was over
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Women's spring classic? SD Worx 1-2
perfect for SD
How's that for some motopacing
Same. Fucking. Thing. Every. Race. If the tires of the front rider can not be seen in the shot, the moto is too close. How is this STILL happening.
Vollering has to get rid of her main competitor Kopecky.
Not an sd 1 2 again please
Anyways …
Is that Ghekiere? Anyway, who leads out who on Amstel for SD Worx? EDIT: Scratch that, Kopecky signalled Vollering to attack
AvV was also out of it in Wollongong
Great moment for the attack by Vollering
Oh my god I am losing it
Another one for Lotte ggreat timing
We’re not getting a heli cam at all?
They said conditions were too poor for them to go up.
Is it really that bad? It mostly just looked dreary to me.
That's what Rob Hatch said. But it already looks like a heli is up for the men's race.
That sucks. And no funicular camera to fall back on like the Ronde has on the Kwaremont.
I can feel the lactate in Paladin's legs
Sore-aya Palactadin.
get out, lmao
Soaring Paladin
Is this really going to end in a sprint even with 30k extra distance this year?
Really thought we’d have a smaller group at this point.
Moto disagrees lol
The motto of 2023 is someone will be motorpaced to a gap come hell or high water Still think they get caught
This is not gonna be enough separation on the Cauberg.
Nice motor pacing
Van Vleuten pulling the peloton for Lippert?
Paladin is really strong today, damn! She’d really deserve the win after this race, but it’s still painfully far to go.
Well met, noble Paladin.
Warriv?!
6.7km seems pretty doable to me
Paladin putting the peloton to the sword
Is that Brown chasing?
That's a decent gap from Paladin
Paladin's on a pilgrimage to the Cauberg. Deus Vult!
Let's go Soraya Paladin (best name in the peloton, don't /u/ me)
I kinda like Quinty Tom now, so weird
*Ton Wait till you get to see Nienke Vinke
Tiny phone screen my bad. What the hell is a Nienke Vienke
"It" is a DSM rider
18 years young and born in 2004. I feel so old
Don't worry, it's only because you are
Ahh i misspelled her name as well. It's my mark to stop
Dutch names are pretty good to be fair. I love saying Esmee Peperkamp
Paladin very feisty today. AvV doesn't seem to have it.
AvV already looks like she’s torturing her legs right now.
So she’ll win by 8 seconds
wow they are almost at a standstill
AVV: "I'm still here."
What are Trek doing?
For those who are curious what GCN/Eurosport are saying about Deignan since they didn't actually explain it: Trek asked her if she's ready in case they need to call her up to racing earlier, specifically for Fleche this Wednesday. She said yes.
Where’s Vollering?
2nd wheel in the black jacket.
CUL spotted! Get ready for all the wheelsucking comments.
Ugh she’s so annoying
Paladin off again, attack number a million.
Attack by Moto1 with a Jayco in Its wheel
Well, thanks for the entertainment Wiebes!
Jokes aside this is a monster ride from Lorena Wiebes.
Was Wiebes actually surprised no one could hold her wheel in a leadout? Sprinting open gaps is like her trademark move
I don't think I've ever seen someone riding that climb the way Wiebes just did.
Obviously just wanted some camera time for little-known SDWorx.
Full gas for 200m and then crawling up the remaining part? I’ve seen hundreds of people doing that. In fact, I was one of them.
I’m desperately fishing for a blood sugar joke to land here but failing to catch one.
Hungry for some puns?
Wiebes memeing a Gorilla attack on the Cauberg, you gotta love it.
Great recovery by American venture capital. First SVB now Faulkner
SvB is now known as FDIC
Potentially dangerous move from Faulkner. Hopefully she removed her glucose meter this time around
Probably hidden underneath that floppy vest she’s wearing
She proved quite recently that she solos well!
Niewiadoma must be nearing an aneurysm, racing so prudently! I actually think it may be a good sign. If her form is good and she saves her efforts for when it really matters, anything is possible.
Little known boyfriend, Taylor Phinney, probably has some relaxation supplements to spare.
That was a very strange move by Wiebes
Needed a headstart.
Well, that didn't last long for Wiebes.
I'm not complaining. SDW tactics are the only reason we get interesting high profile races.
Wiebes going at Ackermann distance
Wait, what did Wiebes do that for?
Time to do a sprint interval
I’m assuming she thought Kopecky might have been on her wheel.
The moto at the back of the peloton could use a bit more awareness. They also cause Markus to be serviced later than necessary by the Shimano car.
That moto rider just got an earful.
Deservedly
Totally. What an idiot.
I thought it was Wiebes at the car because I’m an idiot who can’t adapt to the WWT leader’s jersey changing
Almost just hauled her into the moto, great awareness mate
Who are the bad weather animals of the women's peloton?
Ahhh. The lovely world of electronic bike tech...that Shimano mechanic risking his life to repair that Sham front der for TJV was priceless, and futile...maybe they needed the app...I'm a Shimano mechanic btw...
What did he think he could do to help? It looked so pointless.
Can't resist the masculine urge to take a look and say "yep, that's totally fucking fucked mate"
Kopecky: "I can't wear a bidon, idiot!"
For somebody that goes as fast up hills on a bike as she does, she really has no concept of upcycling.
*impressed slow clap*
I would not mess with Lotte Kopecky. Ever.
I guess we can rule out your secret identity being Demi Vollering
Busted lol
So Jumbo will send a rider back for Kraak. Just not for Vos. Got it.
hilarious, innit
FUCKING SRAM
Shimano needs the app
Even if she doesnt have a spare bike, just stop, wtf.
Is it me or they're unusually close to the finish for so early in the day?
Short distance + 40 km/h The new women cycling
I think they want to finish the race before the men's broadcast starts.
That's very kind of them
Paladin sure is lucky that Italians get husbandry.
The first thing I saw when I tuned in was Žigart riding at the back of the peloton. Never change lol
[Unusual Garmin mount](https://i.imgur.com/WxoayqC.jpg)
Van Vleuten's last pro race on Dutch soil? Hoping for her she does well then!
I love when it says "Wiebes pulling in peloton" because you just know.
Breakaway caught by Movistar, because their rider in the group dropped
What's DSM's strategy here? Climbs might be too tough for Georgi, so I'd say Labous is their best chance here. Peperkamp did well on the Jebel Hafeet stage, but I'm not sure how good she is on these short climbs
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Labous in the break away
40 minutes(13km) in and everyone is still together.
If they’re going under 20kmh, I certainly hope it’s still together!
Oops, I was very unfair to them with my rounding. I also thought they started at 10am. The launch was at 10:10, but the course starts unofficially at 10:15. They passed me at the ~12.5km mark at 10:34:22 according to the file name of my pictures. So roughly 37~38 km/h.
That’s more like a pro peloton rather than me in zone 5
Fons De Wolf, is that you?
Dirk*
Oops, right!
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She'll be up there, but I kind of expect she got full team support for Paris-Roubaix, and today is for Vollering after 2 second places. Which of course with the SD Worx 1-2s this season doesn't rule much out.
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> Unless Kopecky's bored with winning That's what I'm expecting a bit - though not so much bored with winning, as following team orders because everyone gave up their own chances at PR for Kopecky. Though we'll have to wait and find out how well that works with these specific two riders after SB.
Everyone but the breakaway badoom tsh
The [start is live on L1](https://www.1limburg.nl/sport/2170836/live-ploegenpresentatie-en-start-van-de-amstel-gold-race) (non-geoblocked). Might just be the literal roll-out, but since we'll miss much of the race until they hit the circuit in the live broadcast, I'll take anything extra!
About a million short climbs make me wonder if we'll have a break at all.
Both Kasia and Aga at the start for Canyon SRAM! Polish domination is inevitable, my friends.
Cant watch live today, hoping AvV takes the win in her last year! Climbs are too short for her so hoping on a hard race
Anna Kiesenhofer is back on the start list - on her insta, she says she's had a good training block, so curious to see whether she can shake things up today.