2015 Amstel Gold Race

The Amstel Gold Race was part of the 2015 UCI World Tour, which meant that the 17 UCI WorldTeams were automatically invited and obliged to send a team. The race organisers also made eight wildcard invitations to UCI Professional Continental teams. The peloton was therefore made up of 25 teams.{{Cite news|url = http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/02/news/final-amstel-gold-race-wildcards-announced_361560|title = Final Amstel Gold race wildcards announced|date = 23 February 2015|work = VeloNews|publisher = Competitor Group, Inc.|access-date = 18 April 2015|archive-date = 18 April 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150418150117/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/02/news/final-amstel-gold-race-wildcards-announced_361560|url-status = dead}} With eight riders on each team, a total of 200 riders were entered. Two of these, {{UCI team code|IAM|2015}}'s Dries Devenyns (sore back) and Thomas Degand (stomach upset), were forced to pull out before the start, so 198 riders started the race.{{cite web|title=Amstel Gold Race 2015 - Classic|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Amstel_Gold_Race_2015-startlist|website=ProCyclingStats|access-date=21 April 2015}}{{cite news|title=Dries Devenyns en Thomas Degand starten niet in Amstel Gold Race|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20150419_01637128|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Het Nieuwsblad|agency=Belga|date=19 April 2015|language=nl}}

{{cyclingteamlist|ALM|AST|BMC|OPQ|FDJ|IAM|LAM|LTB|MOV|OGE|GRS|GIA|KAT|BEL|SKY|TTS|TFR|title = UCI WorldTeams|year=2015}}{{cyclingteamlist|MTN|CCC|VFN|CUL|CSF|ROO|WGG|TSV|title = UCI Professional Continental teams|year=2015}}

File:Amstel Gold Race 2015.png

The {{Convert|258|km|abbr=off|adj = on}} route of the 2015 Amstel Gold Race began in Maastricht and left the city towards the north. The riders passed through the towns of Bunde and Geulle on their way to the first climbs of the day. The first climb of the day was the Slingerberg; the peloton then passed through Beek and climbed the Adsteeg. These climbs came within the first {{convert|15|km|abbr=off}} of racing. The route then turned south through Meerssen, where the riders climbed the third climb, the Lange Raarberg, then east in the direction of Heerlen. The course turned, however, before they reached Heerlen, first heading south across the climb of the Bergseweg, then west. At this point, the route entered a series of circuits around the town of Valkenburg aan de Geul. The riders climbed the Sibbergrubbe and the Cauberg for the first time. The first climb of the Cauberg came after {{convert|54|km|abbr=off}}.{{Cite web|url = http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Amstel_Gold_Race_2015-profiles|title = Amstel Gold Race 2015 - Classic|access-date = 18 April 2015|website = ProCyclingStats}}

File:Valkenburg, Cauberg01.jpg, climbed four times during the race]]

The first of the loops around Valkenburg was the longest at {{Convert|101.6|km|abbr=off}}. The riders first climbed the Geulhemmerberg as they left Valkenburg, then turned south-east. The next {{convert|20|km|abbr=off}} contained no categorised climbs, though the roads were far from flat. The next climb, the Wolfsburg, came after {{Convert|78.1|km|abbr=off}} and was followed quickly by the first climb of the Loorberg. The route then briefly turned north, before turning south again on the outskirts of Gulpen. The next climb, the Schweibergerweg, came after {{convert|92.5|km|abbr=off}} of racing, with the Camerig {{convert|6|km|abbr=off}} later. The riders then entered a short circuit around the town of Vaals, where the Drielandenpunt, the Gemmenich and the Vijlenerbos came within {{convert|9|km|abbr=off}} of one another. The route then returned to Gulpen along the same roads, with the Eperheide the only categorised climb. In Gulpen, the route crossed the Gulpenerberg, then turned east to cross the Plettenberg and the Eyserweg. The riders then reached Simpelveld, where they turned west again towards Valkenburg. The final part of the loop took the peloton across the climb of Huls and the Vrakelberg. As they entered Valkenburg, the riders climbed the Sibbergrubbe and the Cauberg for the second time. As the riders crossed the finish line in Valkenburg, they had {{convert|99.8|km|abbr=off}} remaining.{{cite web|title=Route 50e Amstel Gold Race 19 April 2015|url=http://www.amstel.nl/~/media/Websites/Amstel/Afbeeldingen/Evenementen/Amstel%20Gold%20Race/Amstel%20Gold%20Race/Wedstrijd/Wedstrijd%20Route%20Amstel%20Gold%20Race%202015.ashx|website=amstel.nl|access-date=19 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419080158/http://www.amstel.nl/~/media/Websites/Amstel/Afbeeldingen/Evenementen/Amstel%20Gold%20Race/Amstel%20Gold%20Race/Wedstrijd/Wedstrijd%20Route%20Amstel%20Gold%20Race%202015.ashx|archive-date=19 April 2015|format=PDF|language=nl}}

The second loop was shorter than the first at {{Convert|71.3|km|abbr=off}}. It again began with the climb of the Geulhemmerberg, then travelled through the outskirts of Maastricht. The route again turned north, this time to climb the Bemelerberg, before another turn to the south-east towards Beutenaken. The route re-used several of the roads that made up the first loop: the riders climbed the Loorberg for the second time, then turned north for the second climb of the Gulpenerberg. From this point, the peloton took a different route towards Valkenburg, which included the climbs of the Kruisberg, the Eyserbosweg, the Fromberg and the Keutenberg. On this loop, the riders did not climb the Sibbergrubbe but proceeded directly to the third climb of the Cauberg. This was seen as a moment when an early attack might succeed and came with {{convert|21.1|km|abbr=off}} remaining.

The final loop was the shortest of the day at {{Convert|18.5|km|abbr=off}}. The riders climbed the Geulhemmerberg for the third time, then the Bemelerberg for the second time. This was the penultimate climb of the day. The final climb was a fourth ascent of the Cauberg. At the base of the climb, there were {{convert|2.6|km|abbr=off}} remaining. The climb itself was {{convert|900|m}} in length, with an average gradient of 7% and a maximum gradient of 12%. At the top of the climb, there were approximately {{convert|1.7|km|abbr=off}} of fairly flat roads to the finish line in Berg en Terblijt.{{cite web|title = Cauberg {{!}} Valkenburg|url = http://www.sport.be/cycling/nl/hellingen/info.html?Route_ID=158|website = Sport.be|publisher = Golazo media nv|access-date = 19 April 2015|language = nl|archive-date = 18 April 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160418224613/http://www.sport.be/cycling/nl/hellingen/info.html?Route_ID=158|url-status = dead}}

File:Philippe Gilbert, Vuelta al Pais Vasco 2013 (cropped).jpg, three-time winner of the race, wearing the rainbow jersey he won on a similar course in the 2012 world championships]]

The Amstel Gold Race had been won in the past by riders who attacked a long distance from the finish line. This happened as recently as 2013, when Roman Kreuziger attacked shortly after the penultimate climb of the Cauberg. Normally, however, the race was decided on the final ascent of the Cauberg; in the 2014 edition, Philippe Gilbert ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}) attacked midway up the climb and was able to take a solo victory. As there was a flat section after the climb, there was also opportunities for riders dropped on the Cauberg to rejoin any escapees and to bring the race together for a sprint finish.{{cite news|last=Frattini |first=Kirsten |title=Gilbert wins 2014 Amstel Gold Race |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/amstel-gold-race/results |access-date=19 April 2015 |website=Cyclingnews.com|date=20 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418184318/http://www.cyclingnews.com/amstel-gold-race/results |archive-date=18 April 2015 }}{{cite news|last=Puddicombe|first=Stephen|title=Amstel Gold Race 2015 preview|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/amstel-gold-race-2015-preview-166683|access-date=19 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly|date=15 April 2015|archive-date=19 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419054853/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/amstel-gold-race-2015-preview-166683|url-status=dead}} The race was therefore expected to suit puncheurs, especially those who were also able to defend a solo lead ahead of a chasing group.{{Cite news|url = http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/04/amstel-gold-race-preview-2/|title = Amstel Gold Race preview|last = Conde|first = Mikkel|date = 17 April 2015|work = CyclingTips|access-date = 20 April 2015}}

Gilbert, the defending champion, was the main favourite for the race. As well as his 2014 victory, he had won the race in 2010 and 2011; he also won the 2012 world championships road race, which was raced on a very similar course. Gilbert had demonstrated good form by coming third the previous week in Brabantse Pijl. Several other former champions took part in 2014: Kreuziger ({{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}), Enrico Gasparotto ({{UCI team code|WGG|2015}}), Damiano Cunego ({{UCI team code|VFN|2015}}), Fränk Schleck ({{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}), Stefan Schumacher and Davide Rebellin (both {{UCI team code|CCC|2015}}).{{Cite news|url = http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/amstel-gold-race-2015/preview|title = Amstel Gold Race attracts the stars for 50th edition|last = O'Shea|first = Sadhbh|date = 17 April 2015|work = Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date = 18 April 2015}}{{cite news|last=Windsor|first=Richard|title=Who are the bookies’ favourites for Amstel Gold Race?|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/who-are-the-bookies-favourites-for-amstel-gold-race-167080|access-date=19 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly|date=17 April 2015|archive-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514031136/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/who-are-the-bookies-favourites-for-amstel-gold-race-167080|url-status=dead}}

Alejandro Valverde ({{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}), who had come fourth in 2014, was also among the major favourites and was in strong form following three stage wins during the Volta a Catalunya. Michał Kwiatkowski ({{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}), the incumbent world champion, Joaquim Rodríguez ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}) and Michael Matthews ({{UCI team code|OGE|2015}}) were also considered to have a strong chance of winning the race. Matthews in particular was the favourite to win any small bunch sprint if a group came together after the Cauberg.

An early breakaway was formed by six riders after more than {{convert|20|km|abbr=off}}, after the climb of the Lange Raarberg. The six riders were Laurens De Vreese ({{UCI team code|AST|2015}}), Jan Polanc ({{UCI team code|LAM|2015}}), Timo Roosen ({{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}), Linus Gerdemann ({{UCI team code|CUL|2015}}), Johann van Zyl ({{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}) and Mike Terpstra ({{UCI team code|ROO|2015}}). The peloton initially hesitated in letting the break escape, but soon relented and the leading group's advantage grew to approximately 10 minutes by the time they reached Mechelen after {{convert|90|km|abbr=off}} of racing. The peloton was led by {{UCI team code|BMC|2015}} and {{UCI team code|CCC|2015}}. There were several crashes during this phase of the race; Jelle Vanendert ({{UCI team code|LTS|2015}}), who was second in 2014, and Lieuwe Westra ({{UCI team code|AST|2015|nolink=y}}) were among the riders forced to abandon the race. As the riders crossed the finish line for the second time, with {{convert|99.8|km|abbr=off}} remaining, they had a lead of approximately six minutes as the riders in the peloton began to chase.{{cite news|title=Kwiatkowski wins Amstel Gold Race|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/amstel-gold-race-2015/results|access-date=20 April 2015|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=20 April 2015}}{{cite news|title=Kwiatkowski sprints to first victory in rainbow jersey in Amstel Gold Race|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/road/kwiatkowski-sprints-to-first-victory-in-rainbow-jersey-in-amstel-gold-race_367157|access-date=20 April 2015|work=VeloNews|date=19 April 2015|archive-date=20 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420051845/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/road/kwiatkowski-sprints-to-first-victory-in-rainbow-jersey-in-amstel-gold-race_367157|url-status=dead}}

File:Michał Kwiatkowski 2014 UCI.jpg (here pictured after winning the 2014 world championships road race) won his first race in the rainbow jersey in a sprint finish]]

On the second loop around Valkenburg, {{UCI team code|MOV|2015}} came to the front of the peloton to chase the breakaway in support of Alejandro Valverde. They reduced the breakaway's lead to four minutes and briefly broke a small group free on the descent from the Bemelerberg, but a mechanical problem for Valverde forced them to stop chasing and bring him back to the front of the peloton. As the riders came to the end of the loop, three riders had been dropped from the breakaway and the group's lead was under a minute. The first attacks from the peloton came on the Eyserbosweg, with David Tanner ({{UCI team code|IAM|2015}}) and Simon Clarke ({{UCI team code|OGE|2015}}) attacking and forming a lead group. A second group attacked, made up of Tony Martin ({{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}), Vincenzo Nibali and Diego Rosa (both {{UCI team code|AST|2015|nolink=Y}}), Wilco Kelderman ({{UCI team code|BEL|2015|nolink=y}}), Damiano Caruso ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}) and Alex Howes ({{UCI team code|GRS|2015}}). With {{convert|37|km|abbr=off}} remaining, Clarke and Tanner had an 11-second lead over the second group, with the peloton a further 24 seconds behind. The original breakaway, meanwhile, had been caught.{{cite news|last=Clarke|first=Stuart|title=Michał Kwiatkowski wins Amstel Gold Race|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/michal-kwiatkowski-wins-amstel-gold-race-167263|access-date=20 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly|date=19 April 2015|archive-date=21 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421044538/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/michal-kwiatkowski-wins-amstel-gold-race-167263|url-status=dead}}

Kelderman missed a corner shortly afterwards and was forced to ride through a field to rejoin the race; he was unable to catch up with the leading riders. The two groups came together shortly afterwards, although there was some disagreement in the group about the riders' commitment to the breakaway attempt. Rosa and Caruso crashed on a corner, reducing the group to five riders, while {{UCI team code|MOV|2015|nolink=yes}} were again leading the chasing peloton. The group was caught with {{convert|15|km|abbr=off}} remaining. Clarke then attacked again, but was caught {{convert|7|km|abbr=off}} later. One final attack was made by Jakob Fuglsang ({{UCI team code|AST|2015|nolink=y}}) and Greg Van Avermaet ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015|nolink=yes}}); Van Avermaet refused to assist Fuglsang in setting the pace and they were soon caught. The peloton was therefore all together for the final ascent of the Cauberg.

In 2014, Samuel Sánchez (then {{UCI team code|BMC|2014|nolink=yes}}) had attacked at the foot of the Cauberg on behalf of his teammate Philippe Gilbert, whose subsequent attack allowed him to take the race victory. They attempted to replicate this strategy with an attack from Ben Hermans in the same place as Sánchez. Gilbert's attack, however, was less successful than his 2014 effort: although most riders were dropped, Michael Matthews was able to hold his wheel. Michał Kwiatkowski was chasing alone at this point. Valverde bridged across to Gilbert and Matthews, with another 15 riders joining the group shortly afterwards. Kwiatkowski was a long way behind with {{convert|500|m}} remaining, but was able to stay in the slipstream of the other riders and recover from the climb. He then began a long sprint and was able to keep the rest of the group behind him. Valverde finished second, with Matthews third. Kwiatkowski's win was his first win in the rainbow jersey of the world champion.

{{cyclingresult start|title=Race result}}

{{cyclingresult|1|Michał Kwiatkowski|POL|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|6h 31' 49"}}

{{cyclingresult|2|Alejandro Valverde|ESP|{{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|3|Michael Matthews|AUS|{{UCI team code|OGE|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|4|Rui Costa|POR|{{UCI team code|LAM|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Greg Van Avermaet|BEL|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|6|Tony Gallopin|FRA|{{UCI team code|LTS|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|7|Julian Alaphilippe|FRA|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|8|Enrico Gasparotto|ITA|{{UCI team code|WGG|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Maciej Paterski|POL|{{UCI team code|CCC|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Philippe Gilbert|BEL|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

Kwiatkowski's win was his first road race victory since his victory at the 2014 world championships (his only other 2015 victory was in the prologue individual time trial at the 2015 Paris–Nice). He also became the fourth rider to win the Amstel Gold Race while wearing the rainbow jersey; the others were Eddy Merckx, Jan Raas and Bernard Hinault. He described the race as "an amazing day" and said that it "[put] the dot on the i" following the {{UCI team code|EQS|2015}} team's second-place finishes at the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix.{{cite news|last=O'Shea|first=Sadhbh|title=Experience pays off for Kwiatkowski at Amstel Gold Race|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/experience-pays-off-for-kwiatkowski-at-amstel-gold-race|access-date=20 April 2015|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=20 April 2015}}

{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}} were praised for their tactics after the race, despite Gilbert's failure to repeat his victory; his tenth-place finish was his worst result since 2008. Gilbert attributed his failure to stay away from the chasing pack in part to the lack of a tailwind on the final flat section after the Cauberg, while his reputation as the main favourite for the race also worked to his disadvantage.{{cite news|last1=Benson|first1=Daniel|last2=O'Shea|first2=Sadhbh|title=Five conclusions from Amstel Gold Race|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/five-conclusions-from-amstel-gold-race|access-date=20 April 2015|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=20 April 2015}}{{cite news|last=Fotheringham|first=Alasdair|author-link=Alasdair Fotheringham|title=Gilbert fails to defend Amstel Gold Race after Cauberg attack|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilbert-fails-to-defend-amstel-gold-race-after-cauberg-attack|access-date=20 April 2015|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=20 April 2015}} Valverde, meanwhile, was delighted at his second-place finish, which was the best result of his career at the Amstel Gold Race, declaring himself "happy with second" and looking forward to the remainder of the Ardennes classics.{{cite news|last=Fotheringham|first=Alasdair|author-link=Alasdair Fotheringham|title=Valverde remains upbeat despite another loss in Amstel Gold Race|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-remains-upbeat-despite-another-loss-in-amstel-gold-race|access-date=20 April 2015|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=20 April 2015}}

After winning 80 points for his victory in the race, Kwiatkowski moved up from thirteenth place to fourth place in the UCI World Tour rankings. His total of 195 points left him 108 points behind the leader, Richie Porte ({{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}). Valverde also moved into the top ten of the World Tour rankings. {{UCI team code|EQS|2015}} moved ahead of {{UCI team code|SKY|2015|nolink=y}} to take the lead in the teams' ranking; Australia remained in the lead of the nations' rankings.For the individual rankings, see {{cite web|title=UCI Individual - WorldTour - 2015|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/rankings/UCI_Individual_2015_04_19_WorldTour|website=ProCyclingStats|access-date=20 April 2015}}

• For the teams rankings, see {{cite web|title=UCI Teams - WorldTour - 2015|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/rankings/UCI_Teams_2015_04_19_WorldTour|website=ProCyclingStats|access-date=20 April 2015}}
• For the nations ranking, see {{cite web|title=UCI Nations - WorldTour - 2015|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/rankings/UCI_Nations_2015_04_19_WorldTour|website=ProCyclingStats|access-date=20 April 2015}}

{{cyclingresult start|title=UCI World Tour individual rankings{{cite web|url=http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12146&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1186645&Phase1ID%3D1186656&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?862346|title=UCI WorldTour Ranking - 2015|access-date=6 August 2015|work=Union Cycliste Internationale|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111643/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D102007%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D24055%26SeasonID%3D488%26EventID%3D12146%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26EventPhaseID%3D1186645%26Phase1ID%3D1186656%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26Cache%3D2.html?862346|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}|points=yes}}

{{cyclingresult|1|Richie Porte|AUS|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|303}}

{{cyclingresult|2|Alexander Kristoff|NOR|{{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}|237}}

{{cyclingresult|3|John Degenkolb|GER|{{UCI team code|GIA|2015}}|232}}

{{cyclingresult|4|Michał Kwiatkowski|POL|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|195}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Geraint Thomas|GBR|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|184}}

{{cyclingresult|6|Greg Van Avermaet|BEL|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|178}}

{{cyclingresult|7|Nairo Quintana|COL|{{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}|168}}

{{cyclingresult|8|Alejandro Valverde|ESP|{{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}|158}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Zdeněk Štybar|CZE|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|152}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Niki Terpstra|NED|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|140}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{ProCyclingStats race}}

{{2015 UCI World Tour}}

{{Amstel Gold Race}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amstel Gold Race, 2015}}

Category:Amstel Gold Race

Category:2015 UCI World Tour

Category:2015 in Dutch sport

Category:April 2015 sports events in Europe