‘I had to gamble’ – Mathieu van der Poel’s winning run broken at Amstel Gold Race

Mathieu van der Poel was the resounding favourite to win Amstel Gold Race, but the world champion was unable to replicate the level of performance that carried him to victory at the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and E3 Harelbeke in recent weeks.

Even when the winning move carried a lead of almost 40 seconds into the final lap of the finishing circuit, all eyes were on Van der Poel, who pulled off a remarkable comeback to win this race on his debut in 2019.