VALKENBURG, Netherlands — In a display of explosive power and tactical precision, Remco Evenepoel surged to victory in the men’s Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, outsprinting a select group of favorites in the final kilometers to claim his first Monument classic win. The Soudal Quick-Sep rider timed his move to perfection on the Cauberg, the race’s iconic climb, launching with 500 meters to go and holding off a late charge from Mads Pedersen and Tadej Pogacar to win by a bike length.
Evenepoel’s triumph came after a relentless day of racing through the Limburg hills, where attacks came early and often. The Belgian, wearing the rainbow stripes of world champion, had been marked throughout the 258-kilometer route from Maastricht to Valkenburg, but conserved energy expertly while others chased moves from Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel. With under 10 kilometers remaining, Evenepoel sat third in a reduced lead group as Pogacar attacked on the Geulhemmerberg, only to be reeled in by the peloton’s collective effort.
On the final ascent of the Cauberg, Evenepoel waited until the last moment before jumping clear, his acceleration leaving even the sharpest sprinters scrambling for wheels. Pedersen, the 2019 winner, came closest but could not match Evenepoel’s top-end speed in the drag race to the line. Pogacar, despite his famed finishing kick, arrived just behind the Danish rider, completing a podium that underscored the race’s extraordinary depth.
“I knew I had to wait for the perfect moment,” Evenepoel said after crossing the line, his voice still ragged from the effort. “The Cauberg is short but brutal — you can’t go too early. When I saw Tadej start his sprint, I knew he’d be vulnerable if I timed it right. It’s a dream to win here, especially in the rainbow jersey.”
The victory marks Evenepoel’s first win in one of cycling’s five Monuments, the sport’s most prestigious one-day races. At 24 years old, he now joins an elite group of riders to have won both a world title and a Monument in the same season, following his road world championship triumph in Zurich last September. His Amstel Gold Race win also makes him the first Belgian to win the race since Philippe Gilbert in 2017.
In the women’s race, held over 158 kilometers on a similar circuit, Paula Blasi of Team SD Worx delivered a commanding solo victory, attacking with 15 kilometers to go and holding off a chasing group that included world champion Lotte Kopecky and defending champion Demi Vollering. Blasi, 26, launched her move on the Kruisberg, the penultimate climb and steadily extended her advantage over the rolling finale to win by 22 seconds.
“I felt strong all day, and when the moment came, I just went for it,” Blasi said. “The team executed perfectly, and I knew if I could get a gap on the Kruisberg, I had a chance to hold it. Winning my first WorldTour race here feels incredible.”
Blasi’s victory continues Team SD Worx’s dominance in the Ardennes classics, following their sweep of the women’s Amstel Gold Race podium in 2023 and their recent wins at the Fleche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Kopecky finished second, ahead of Vollering in third, as the Belgian squad locked out the top three positions.
The Amstel Gold Race, first held in 1966, remains the only WorldTour race staged entirely in the Netherlands and is renowned for its challenging terrain, featuring 34 categorized climbs and numerous narrow, winding roads through the Limburg countryside. This year’s edition benefited from dry conditions and moderate temperatures, allowing for aggressive racing from the opening kilometer.
For Evenepoel, the win represents a significant milestone in his evolution from grand tour specialist to one-day classic contender. Having already won Vuelta a Espana stages and the Giro d’Italia young rider classification, his success in Valkenburg suggests he is now capable of winning the sport’s most demanding one-day races on varied terrain. His next target is likely the Paris-Roubaix in two weeks, where his bike-handling skills and power output could make him a serious contender on the cobbles.
Blasi, meanwhile, looks to build on her breakthrough as she prepares for the upcoming women’s Paris-Roubaix, scheduled for the same weekend as the men’s edition. Her ability to sustain long solo efforts positions her well for the unique demands of northern France’s cobblestone sectors, where Team SD Worx has historically excelled.
The Amstel Gold Race serves as a critical barometer for form heading into the Ardennes triple header of Amstel, Fleche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with both men’s and women’s fields using the Dutch classic to sharpen their tactics and fitness. This year’s outcomes suggest Evenepoel and Blasi are arriving at peak form just as the season’s most punishing one-day races start.
As the peloton turns its attention to the cobbles of northern France, the performances in Valkenburg will be studied closely by rivals and tacticians alike. Evenepoel’s sprint timing and Blasi’s solo aggression offer blueprints for success in the coming weeks, while the depth of talent on display promises another thrilling chapter in the spring classics campaign.
Next up for both riders is the Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday, a race defined by the Mur de Huy climb that will test their recovery and climbing prowess. Fans can follow live updates and results through the official UCI website and race organizers’ platforms.
What did you think of Evenepoel’s sprint finish or Blasi’s solo ride? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media using #AmstelGoldRace.
