There's only one word I know that can accurately describe this morning's sign on at the 49th Amstel Gold race and autocorrect keeps changing that word to “cluster duck.”
Because there were literally 3 rows of barricades to keep the fans away from the riders in front of the podium, there were apparently not enough barricades left to guide the riders towards the podium, leaving scores of underweight, Lycra-clad men desperately looking for Moses to part the sea of spectators.
Fabian Wegmann playing the role of Moses.
Despite this completely avoidable chaos, I managed to snag some autographs. (Huge thanks to Lot for sharing the following sign on photos!) Below: Alexander Kolobnev.
Nelson Oliveira.
Rafael Valls.
Dan Martin said he'd sign for me but, alas, he was swallowed up by journalists and not seen again for several hours.
Rui Costa.
Quickly among my Garmin favorites is Nathan Haas, shown here threatening to mow down anyone who doesn't get out of his way with his spinning front tire.
I'm guessing Marcus Burghardt was only able to find his way to the podium from Fien's sign! As it was, the scene was far too mobbed for him to properly stop and exchange his typical greeting.
Serious respect to the bus drivers who navigate roads built for horses.
We found our way to the famous Cauberg to watch 4 laps over the course of the afternoon.
A massive breakaway quickly gained something in the neighborhood of 10 or 11 minutes on the peloton.
When they did arrive, Michael Schär led them up the climb.
Simon Geschke and Alex Howes.
The wind was so strong it blew over a long row of fences and this crossing point sign. Fortunately the peloton had already passed and wouldn't return for a couple of hours.
Lots of reminders everywhere that Valkenburg hosted the 2012 World Championships, including faded paint from supporters on the road. It was here on the Cauberg that Philippe Gilbert won his World Champion's jersey and he won Brabantse Pijl just this past Wednesday. Would his current form and past success on the Cauberg land him on the podium today?
Lap 2 and the escapees were still enjoying their 8 minute advantage.
Michael Schär was still at the head of the peloton.
Burghardt and Velits.
A Giant Shimano rider, Yukiya Arashiro, Nathan Haas, and Simon Gerrans.
Dan Martin abandoned when he reached the buses at the end of the climb.
Navardauskas, nicknamed the Honey Badger after a popular YouTube video, refused water from the team car. Honey Badger doesn't need water!
Geraint Thomas must have friends at Tinkoff Saxo as he caught a nice little ride from their car.
We crowded around Fien's portable tv to keep up on the action.
The breakaway had fallen apart and only Christophe Riblon and Preben Van Hecke remained, barely ahead of several chase groups.
The fans were loving the excitement!
I cringed when I heard who was in the first chase group. There's just one rider I truly do not like out of a couple hundred cyclists. I can't stand to watch Thomas Voeckler's dramatic faces and over-the-too riding style. I find him arrogant and over rated. And yet, here he was, leading the chase up the Cauberg. Ugh.
Nathan Haas, gunning to join the chase ahead of him.
Riders had begun to slingshot themselves off the front.
Burghardt in the peloton.
Just ahead of the broom wagon with another lap to go.
Tension!
The riders were upon us with a new group of leaders a little over one kilometer to the finish! Simon Gerrans, Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski, Alejandro Valverde, Bauke Molema, and Philippe Gilbert, among others! A solid bunch, each one a worthy winner.
Fabian Wegmann.
Burghardt.
Dominik Nerz.
Riblon, talking into his radio.
And suddenly, a winner was declared over the loud speaker: Philippe Gilbert! When Gerrans was declared the 3rd place finisher, this kangaroo jumped the fence and ran uphill towards the podium.
Navardauskas and Haas.
Tony Martin suffered a minor crash and consequently a mechanical problem which had removed him from the runnings.
The grupetto.
Dutch Lion cheers for every rider.
The final riders.
Humans descending.
Despite the mild disaster that was the sign on, it was one hell of a race. A well earned win for Gilbert.
Today's 10 autographs came from: 23 Jakob Fuglsang, 62 Murilo Fischer, 75 Ramanus Navardauskas, 77 Tom Jelte Slagter, 84 Rui Costa, 85 Nelson Oliveira, 87 Rafael Valls, 114 Tony Martin, 154 Alexander Kolobnev, and 207 Jerome Pineau.
