It’s a Rabobank rider – it must be the Amstel Gold Race

Amstel Gold is the newest of the Northern Classics, but this doesn’t mean it lacks importance in the peloton. It has been dubbed the race of a thousand corners and from one look at the route map it instantly becomes clear why. Take a look at the profile and it will dispel any myth that Holland is flat!(Limburg is the hilly part – ed.)

The winners list is a who’s who of cycling showing the importance of this race in the low country. The race is one where Classics and Tour riders clash, not unlike Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Even though Eddy Merckx first raced the Amstel in 1967 it would take him until 1973 before he finally won it, just proving how tough a race it is. He would go on to win it once more in 1975. Jan Raas is the race’s most prolific winner notching up wins from 1977-80 then again in ’82. The last Tour winner to win at Amstel was a certain Bjarne Riis, although Lance Armstrong came a close second on two occasions.

Okay I’m going to stick my neck out and list a couple of favourites, but I am sure I’ll get it completely wrong like Roubaix!