With the northern cobbled races wrapped, Cannondale-Drapac now trains its gaze on the hillier races in the Ardennes. A new-look Amstel Gold Race is next up on Sunday, and Flèche Wallonne, with its infamous final climb, on Wednesday.
Toms Skujins made his 2017 debut in the low lands at De Brabantse Pijl after doing a number of stage races down south.
“There is a difference between the classics of northern Europe and the south-European stage races. And I’m not talking about the weather. One-day races in northern Europe are definitely more stressful and more exciting. Riders know they have only one shot, so they use every ounce of energy they have to make it count,” Skujins said. “That makes the racing more exciting to watch and more fun to race, too. Positioning is a lot more important, because if you find yourself a bit too far back, your day can be over in a kilometer. I definitely approach it differently.”
AMSTEL GOLD RACE
TV viewers are the main reason for changing the Amstel Gold Race finish again, with not the Cauberg but Bemeleberg as the final ascent of the day. After the top, there is still five kilometers to the finish line. DS Tom Southam doesn’t necessarily believe the change in the route will have the impact organizers intend.