Blasi solos to victory at the Amstel Gold Race
Paula Blasi claimed her first victory at the Amstel Gold Race. The Spaniard launched a decisive attack on the penultimate ascent of the Cauberg and rode solo to the finish in Valkenburg. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney and Demi Vollering completed the podium.
At 10:10 a.m., the riders set off for the 12th edition of the women’s Amstel Gold Race. Starting from the Market Square in Maastricht, they tackled a 158-kilometre hilly course, with the traditional finish in Valkenburg.
Early in the race, Belgian rider Nijssen (Lotto Intermarché Ladies) went on the attack. She was joined by Steigenga (AG Insurance – Soudal Team), Lylyk (Mayenne Monbana My Pie), Franz (St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93) and local rider Souren (VolkerWessels Cycling Team), forming a five-rider breakaway. On the Eyserbosweg, Lylyk and Souren were forced to drop back. At the first passage over the finish line, the remaining escapees were also caught, leaving a reduced peloton to enter the local laps.
Despite several increases in pace, notably by Adegeest (Lidl-Trek), the race did not open up immediately. A first selection was made on the Cauberg, where Wiebes (Team SD Worx – Protime) and Brand (Lidl-Trek) were dropped.
Driven by an active Van der Breggen (Team SD Worx – Protime) on the Geulhemmerberg, an elite group briefly appeared to break clear, but that move was also neutralised. Over the next ten kilometres, attacks came from all directions without success, until Vinke (Team SD Worx – Protime) made her move. Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) immediately followed and dropped the Dutch rider on the penultimate ascent of the Cauberg.
The Spaniard started the final lap solo with a 45-second lead over the favourites’ group. They were unable to close the gap, allowing Blasi to become the first Spaniard ever to win the Amstel Gold Race. In the chase behind, Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon // SRAM zondacrypto) claimed second place, with Vollering (FDJ United – SUEZ) finishing third.
