The day’s racing began with early breaks from Anna Knijnenburg of VolkerWessels and Heidi Franz of Lifeplus-Wahoo. Despite a strong start, they were soon caught, and a series of attacks kept the race dynamic. Notable was Elisa Longo Borghini’s (Lidl-Trek) aggressive move on the Cauberg climb, drawing a select group that included high-profile riders but ultimately failed to stay clear.
As the race progressed, intense competition and tactical maneuvers on the climbs of Bemelerberg and Geulhemmerberg defined the peloton’s strategy. Teams were hesitant to commit fully to the chase, leading to a fluctuating gap between breakaway groups and the main peloton.
Marianne Vos remained a key figure throughout, navigating the complexities of the race with experienced calm. The race reset following the accident allowed teams to regroup, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Lorena Wiebes looked set to take the victory but her early celebration allowed Vos to surge past at the last moment.
Reflecting on the race’s emotional rollercoaster and the interruption caused by the accident, Vos noted the stark reminder of life’s priorities beyond sport. “I’m always excited for the Amstel Gold Race, but the accident showed that there are more important things in life than cycling. For a moment we were just waiting and hoping for better news. But when the restart is there, you need to focus again and get ready for the final,” she stated.
“It was full gas all the time from the restart. With Eva van Agt, we had a good rider up there, so for us it was a perfect situation, but you still need to focus and get ready for the last time up the Cauberg. Lorena Wiebes and I got boxed in on the left, and I actually thought we were not coming out again, but then Lorena found a gap. She was just too early to celebrate. Only at the jump did I feel that I had more speed, so I thought I could have had it. It’s a shame for Lorena, but I’m happy with this victory.”
Amstel Gold Race results
1. Marianne Vos, Team Visma | Lease a Bike, 2:35:02
2. Lorena Wiebes, Team SD Worx-Protime, same time
3. Ingvild Gåskjenn, Liv AlUla Jayco, same time
4. Pfeiffer Georgi, Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL, same time
5. Elisa Longo Borghini, Lidl-Trek, same time
6. Eleonora Gasparrini, UAE Team ADQ, same time
7. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, AG Insurance-Soudal Team, same time
8. Amber Kraak, FDJ-SUEZ, same time
9. Yara Kastelijn, Fenix-Deceuninck, same time
10. Soraya Paladin, CANYON//SRAM Racing, same time
