New finish for Amstel

greasedscotsman
greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
edited October 2012 in Pro race
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/new-fin ... -gold-race

Ooh, interesting. Think this could be a good thing!

Comments

  • Turfle
    Turfle Posts: 3,762
    I'm all for giving it a go, but I'm not convinced it changes the number of riders who can win. It, imo anyway, pushes Gilbert and Sagan to even stronger favourites.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Makes sense.

    Having watched old races, I preferred the old finish anyway.
    _
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Makes sense.

    Having watched old races, I preferred the old finish anyway.

    How far was the old finish from the Cauberg? Cauberg was the final climb, wasn't it?
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Makes sense.

    Having watched old races, I preferred the old finish anyway.

    How far was the old finish from the Cauberg? Cauberg was the final climb, wasn't it?

    Before the finish on the Cauberg it used to be in Maastricht, completely flat, with the short and ineffective Pietersberg as last hill and a loop through Belgium with some hills before that, and the Cauberg, Keuteberg etc even earlier on. Sometimes even a bunch sprint back then. Zabel has won it

    Before that, early 1990s and before it was in Meerssen, not far from the Cauberg, but back then the whole route was less hilly, and also plenty of group sprints
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,179
    Not sure why they want to change it, we need races that suit different types of rider. Next they'll be taking the cobbles out of the Ronde and P-R to give more riders a chance to win. Thing is, when you get a big group you still only have a few who can win as the others will lack a sprint. Other than lacking a full on sprinters race the Classics offer a decent balance overall I reckon.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Pross wrote:
    Not sure why they want to change it, we need races that suit different types of rider. Next they'll be taking the cobbles out of the Ronde and P-R to give more riders a chance to win. Thing is, when you get a big group you still only have a few who can win as the others will lack a sprint. Other than lacking a full on sprinters race the Classics offer a decent balance overall I reckon.

    I think they are trying to get the best of both worlds. It should hopefully allow a rider who can get a gap on the climb to stay away from the finish, like Gilbert did at the Worlds, but also allow a rider who isn't such a good climber to chase back and maybe win in a sprint. It's the chase back, will they work or just look at each other that can be the most exciting bit. Like what EBH and Valverde did last weekend. Oh and don't forget, it gives more space at the finish for VIPs and hospitality, that probably a more important reason!
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    The hospitality areas did look quite impressive. I've not been to a huge number of pro races, but the hospitality tents aren't something I've particularly noticed before.

    We were stood on the current Amstel Gold finish line for the Worlds and it would be difficult to do anything special there. Where as a mile down the road they just stuck a load of weatherproof matting down on a couple of fields and filled it full of marquees and trade stands.
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    Pross wrote:
    Other than lacking a full on sprinters race the Classics offer a decent balance overall I reckon.
    Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne ? Or is that race usually wrapped in newspaper with salt and pepper therefore doesn't count ?

    MSR? I suppose that's not so nailed for sprinters...
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    edhornby wrote:
    Or is that race usually wrapped in newspaper with salt and pepper therefore doesn't count ?

    You put pepper on your chips?
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    I like the new finish - it's still favours the same kind of riders but means others have a chance - and amongst the most explosive riders we get prospect of a bit of cat and mouse in the last k with riders rejoining them - should add to the excitement.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • celestecharlie
    celestecharlie Posts: 51
    The line about extra room for 'hospitality' jumped out. Is this a development that adds something to the experience, or is it a slipperly slope that will lead to finishes being fenced off so tickets can be sold?
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    Pross wrote:
    Not sure why they want to change it, we need races that suit different types of rider. Next they'll be taking the cobbles out of the Ronde and P-R to give more riders a chance to win. Thing is, when you get a big group you still only have a few who can win as the others will lack a sprint. Other than lacking a full on sprinters race the Classics offer a decent balance overall I reckon.

    I think they are trying to get the best of both worlds. It should hopefully allow a rider who can get a gap on the climb to stay away from the finish, like Gilbert did at the Worlds, but also allow a rider who isn't such a good climber to chase back and maybe win in a sprint. It's the chase back, will they work or just look at each other that can be the most exciting bit. Like what EBH and Valverde did last weekend. Oh and don't forget, it gives more space at the finish for VIPs and hospitality, that probably a more important reason!


    Agreed on all points. I enjoyed the last 1.5km - it added more excitement to see whether Gilbert would be brought back.

    celestecharlie - the finish is already fenced off for Amstel and the Worlds - the stands are only accessible to press/VIPs etc or people who paid to be there. Joe Public can get reasonably close but the last 25m or so are not public access.

    Steve
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    edhornby wrote:
    Or is that race usually wrapped in newspaper with salt and pepper therefore doesn't count ?

    You put pepper on your chips?


    WTF? Help me escort this gentleman out of this thread greased.
    _
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,179
    So we're basically saying lengthen it to give Gilbert a chance to win ahead of riders such as EBH or Sagan instead of leaving it as it is and having Gilbert win ahead of the likes of J Rod or Uran? ;)
  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    pottssteve wrote:
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    Pross wrote:
    Not sure why they want to change it, we need races that suit different types of rider. Next they'll be taking the cobbles out of the Ronde and P-R to give more riders a chance to win. Thing is, when you get a big group you still only have a few who can win as the others will lack a sprint. Other than lacking a full on sprinters race the Classics offer a decent balance overall I reckon.

    I think they are trying to get the best of both worlds. It should hopefully allow a rider who can get a gap on the climb to stay away from the finish, like Gilbert did at the Worlds, but also allow a rider who isn't such a good climber to chase back and maybe win in a sprint. It's the chase back, will they work or just look at each other that can be the most exciting bit. Like what EBH and Valverde did last weekend. Oh and don't forget, it gives more space at the finish for VIPs and hospitality, that probably a more important reason!


    Agreed on all points. I enjoyed the last 1.5km - it added more excitement to see whether Gilbert would be brought back.

    I agree with this as well. Having a small flat run in after the Cauberg means there are much more potential ways of winning than if the finish is right at the top of the Cauberg. It allows all-round strong riders to win it if they can just stay within sight over the Cauberg. You'd also get scenarios where guys like Gilbert, J-Rod and Valverde could get a gap over the climb and then are chased by a group of three or four other strong riders which would make a great finish.

    Obviously this year Gilbert was way too strong but having the run in does make for better racing I think.
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    Seriously though...

    Pepper on chips?!?!?!!?
  • OffTheBackAdam
    OffTheBackAdam Posts: 1,869
    Well, the Belgians stick mayonaise on theirs!
    Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    I think you'll find its Frietsaus!!!
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    nweststeyn wrote:
    I think you'll find its Frietsaus!!!

    Only for the health conscious ;).

    But yes. Mayo with chips.

    Obviously.

    I actually judge people a little bit when they don't tbh.
    _
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    celestecharlie wrote:
    The line about extra room for 'hospitality' jumped out. Is this a development that adds something to the experience, or is it a slipperly slope that will lead to finishes being fenced off so tickets can be sold?

    I think it's more a case of providing that little bit more for the money the sponsors put in. About 1k-500m from the finish was the Expo which doubled up as a hospitality area. There were a few trade stands, but Rabobank, Boels and Lotto (Belgian) had invite only VIP areas with access to view the race as it went by. Lotto also had an open access area, but I think you could only see the race on a big screen.

    One of the seated areas at the world's had a sign saying "tribune €10", I think it was just an enterprising landowner who decided to stick a seated area on their field!
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,179
    OffTheBackAdam wrote:
    Well, the Belgians stick mayonaise on theirs!

    What's wrong with that? The sooner it catches on over here the sooner we will become a civilised nation.
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    I prefer Frietsaus to Mayo... But as it stands I have to make do with Mayo in this godforsaken country!

    BACK TO THE HOMELAND!
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    nweststeyn wrote:
    I prefer Frietsaus to Mayo... But as it stands I have to make do with Mayo in this godforsaken country!

    BACK TO THE HOMELAND!
    Dutch frietsaus or just any Dutch mayonnaise is way too sweet for me - like re-labelled salad dressing. Nothing beats proper Belgian mayonnaise (I think it's the squeeze of lemon they add). Or, even more Belgian, having your friet with 'stoof' :P
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    Belgium is wrong ;)
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    FJS wrote:
    nweststeyn wrote:
    I prefer Frietsaus to Mayo... But as it stands I have to make do with Mayo in this godforsaken country!

    BACK TO THE HOMELAND!
    Dutch frietsaus or just any Dutch mayonnaise is way too sweet for me - like re-labelled salad dressing. Nothing beats proper Belgian mayonnaise (I think it's the squeeze of lemon they add). Or, even more Belgian, having your friet with 'stoof' :P

    friet_met_stoofvlees_jpg_h380_jpg_568.jpg

    You filthy bastard.
    _
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    Mmmm - is that Zuurvlees I see?! Mayo too, please.
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    friet_met_stoofvlees_jpg_h380_jpg_568.jpg

    Think I'd rather have the pepper. Looks like someone has had a stomach complaint on your chips there!
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    I have fond, fond memories of being taken to the 'snackbar' to get a Frikandel and a Patatje Oorlog... Argh I'm hungry now...

    2097.png

    met

    7269026112_147fe1e9f8_z.jpg
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    I've been thinking for some time now the UK market is ready for a FEBO....

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