Golden Remco: Evenepoel tames the Cauberg to claim his first Amstel win!
At the 60th edition of the Amstel Gold Race, Remco Evenepoel delivered a victory built on strength, patience and perfect timing, winning one of cycling’s most prestigious classics after a tense, tactical and dramatic race. Against the backdrop of a packed Market Square in Maastricht, in the edition that also marked the final Amstel Gold Race under long-time race director Leo van Vliet after thirty years, the Belgian star approached the race with calm authority, waiting for the right moment to make his move. Early on, a large breakaway animated the first part of the day, but it was Marco Frigo who gave the move real substance, dropping his companions and going solo in an attempt to hold off the favourites.
The finale truly came alive on the Kruisberg, where the race exploded and the decisive contenders emerged. That was the moment when Evenepoel stepped into the heart of the action, joining Mattias Skjelmose, Matteo Jorgenson, Kévin Vauquelin and Romain Grégoire as the battle for victory began in earnest. Then came the tension, the selection, and the crash involving Vauquelin and Jorgenson, which reduced the leading group and further sharpened the fight at the front. Soon after, the remaining leaders bridged across to Frigo, ending the Italian’s brave solo effort and setting the stage for a high-level finale between the strongest riders left in contention.
In the final two-man sprint, Evenepoel once again showed the qualities that define a champion, beating Skjelmose and taking a major victory in a race that rewards only those who can combine explosiveness, endurance and tactical intelligence. Behind them, Benoît Cosnefroy won the sprint for third place, completing the podium on a day full of prestige and emotion. For Evenepoel, this was more than just another important result: it was the clear signature of a rider who knows exactly how to rise to the biggest moments and take control when the race reaches its most demanding point.
