Over the past 3 years, the Amstel Gold Race has always left a bitter aftertaste. That is why the arrival of Mathieu van der Poel this year is a godsend for the Dutch top classic. “Every organizer dreams of the world champion winning,” says race director Leo van Vliet.
A year ago, race director Leo van Vliet ended up in a storm.
In the final, his car acted as a pacemaker for leader Tadej Pogacar for a kilometer. First pursuer Ben Healy did not come any closer.
Murder and fire were shouted afterwards, especially in the Dutch media.
“But I don’t want to say anything about that now, a year later,” says Van Vliet. “Enough was already written about it last year.”
In the 2 editions for Pogacar, the photo finish caused quite a bit of commotion and drama.
Wout van Aert was declared the winner in 2021, but Tom Pidcock still claims that victory. And a year later, Benoît Cosnefroy believed for a minute that he and not Michal Kwiatkowski had won the millimeter sprint.
“But I have no influence on the photo finish and the jury,” says Van Vliet. “If the person at the finish gives the wrong jersey number of the winner, there is nothing I can do about it.”
5 years after Van der Poel’s feat
Enough about the past.
Van Vliet is eagerly looking forward to this year’s edition, with Mathieu van der Poel as the main attraction.
“With the nice weather, I expect a lot of supporters along the side of the road.”
“The last time a Dutch world champion rode in the rainbow jersey in the Amstel Gold Race was Joop Zoetemelk in 1986. I was still a rider at the time.”
Jesus, what was all that.
Leo van Vliet about Van der Poel’s phenomenal victory in 2019
Strange but true: Van der Poel has only been at the start of the Amstel twice.
In his baptism of fire he provided a sensational finale. “Jesus, what was that all about,” says Van Vliet about that edition.
“At 3 kilometers from the finish, Van der Poel was still 1’03” behind leaders Alaphilippe and Fuglsang. I then measured that myself.”
“Normally you need 3 servants to close that gap. But Van der Poel did that on his own.”
Is Van der Poel the dream winner on Sunday? “I think every organizer dreams of the world champion winning.”
“But this also applies to the women, with world champion Lotte Kopecky at the start. The field of participants for women is traditionally always better than for the men. It will be two wonderful races.”
Will Tom Dumoulin succeed Van Vliet as race director?
Van Vliet and the Amstel Gold Race are also facing a pivotal moment, because from next year the organization of the classic will be in the hands of Flanders Classics.
“After the 2026 edition, I will stop as race director. I had to make a choice about how to proceed with the Amstel Gold Race and my choice fell on Flanders Clasics.”
Why Flanders Classics? “Because the future of the Amstel Gold Race will then be guaranteed for at least 10 years (Flanders Classics has a license for 10 years).”
“The next 2 years I will work for Flanders Classics. My role is to maintain the DNA of the Amstel Gold Race. It must remain a Dutch race.”
If Van Vliet stops as race director in 2026, he will have to pass on the baton.
Does he have an idea who his successor will be?
“I have certain ideas, but I don’t want to talk about them until my final year. But it is true that Tom Dumoulin is on my list.”
2024-04-12 05:09:00
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