Lotto Dstny has concluded a strong Amstel Gold Race with a fourth place for the Dane Andreas Kron and a seventh place for the Belgian Maxim Van Gils. The Dutch WorldTour Classic opened really early and would never be quiet again until the finish in Berg en Terblijt.
It was at just under 100 kilometres from the finish that the Amstel Gold Race was decided when a strong group detached itself from the bunch. Two Lotto Dstny riders joined the move: Andreas Kron and Arjen Livyns. The front group worked together really well and was systematically reduced on the many hills in Limburg. The bunch tried but would never return to the head of the race.
At the front, Pogacar launched a first attack on the Eyserbosweg. Kron could not follow the impressive acceleration by the Slovenian but kept fighting in the chase, together with Lutsenko. Pogacar eventually finished solo and for a moment it seemed Kron and Lutsenko would sprint for third but Pidcock could narrowly hold off the duo. Kron emptied himself and rewarded a strong Amstel with a fourth place. A little later, Van Gils sprinted to 7th and gifted Lotto Dstny a second top ten place.
Andreas Kron looks back on Amstel with satisfaction. “I am really proud of this team performance but of course it’s a pity to come so close to the podium. To be honest I didn’t feel great anymore in the final and due to maybe a moment of hesitation we could just not catch Pidcock.”
“The race was opened really soon and together with teammate Arjen I could join the interesting move. I could not match the acceleration of Pogacar on the Eyserbosweg. I knew that I could not go over the limit and had to save some forces, so we could maybe return. We still rode really fast in the chase but Pogacar really is on another level. With a fourth and seventh place we can go into the next Ardennes Classics with confidence”, concludes the Dane.
Also Maxim Van Gils rode a strong race and felt better as the day progressed. “It took a while before I got up to speed but eventually I felt really strong in the final. With Andreas Kron at the front we were in a good situation but that way I could maybe not empty myself completely. Maybe an even better result was possible, personally but a fourth and seventh place in Amstel is a really nice performance for Lotto Dstny. I’m a good duo with Andreas and hopefully we can show it again in the next races.”
Images: Maxime Van der Wielen & Photo News.
