Breakaway with De Vries and Bunel animates Amstel Gold Race finale
Femke de Vries and Marion Bunel made their presence known in the Amstel Gold Race. The two riders were alert during the decisive move in the Dutch classic, but were unfortunately unable to contest the win in the final phase. Mischa Bredewold proved to be the strongest in the hilly terrain of South Limburg.
In the Dutch hill classic, nine riders launched an early attack. The breakaway managed to build a two-minute lead but was caught with 75 kilometers remaining. With 60 kilometers to go, the peloton split, and De Vries and Bunel positioned themselves in the front group.
The lead of the breakaway quickly grew again, and as they entered the final local lap, the group still held a comfortable advantage. On the last ascent of the Geulhemmerberg, it was Pieterse who launched an attack, taking four riders with her. De Vries and Bunel gave it their all but were unable to follow, eventually finishing in the chasing group.
"Bredewold was the deserved winner; she was simply the strongest"
“There was a really hard pace, and on the penultimate climb of the Bemelerberg, a large and strong group got away”, Marianne Vos reflected afterward. “I’m disappointed I couldn’t play a role in the finale, but with Femke and Marion up front, we had two strong riders in the break, so we were also gambling a bit. In the end, Bredewold was the deserved winner; she was simply the strongest.”
