CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious head to the Amstel Gold Race in the Netherlands today, with Pello Bilbao leading the team’s ambitions in the Dutch Ardennes classic.
This year’s edition will see the peloton take on a demanding 257-kilometre route featuring 33 climbs, totalling approximately 3,400 metres of elevation gain.
Starting in Maastricht and finishing in Valkenburg, the race winds through the narrow, twisting roads of Limburg, where positioning and timing are critical.
The route builds progressively in difficulty, passing climbs such as the Maasberg and Camerig before heading towards the tripoint.
After tackling the Gulperberg and Eyserweg, the riders will face the Cauberg for the first time with around 80km to go, signalling the beginning of the decisive phase.
From there, the race intensifies rapidly, with key ascents including the Eyserbosweg, Fromberg, and Keutenberg coming in quick succession.
Inside the final 25km, the race becomes more selective with a second passage of the Cauberg, followed by the Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg, before the race heads towards the finish in Valkenburg, where positioning and timing will be crucial in deciding the outcome.
Bilbao has proven his strength on this terrain in recent years, breaking into the top 10 with a ninth-place finish in 2024, and will be aiming to return to the sharp end of the race and compete among the best once again.
He will be supported by a strong lineup of Fran Miholjevic, Edoardo Zambanini, Pau Miquel, Vlad Van Mechelen, Attila Valter, and Matej Mohoric.
Bahrain Victorious sports director Enrico Gasparotto outlined the team’s approach heading into the race.
“We have a strong team that will be working to support Pello during the day,” said Gasparotto.
“This race is always difficult with the small roads, so positioning and being in the right places in the latter part will be crucial. The weather will be unpredictable and that can also be a factor.”
“We have Pello coming off a great result in Basque and we are confident he can continue his form coming into the Ardennes.”
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