The Amstel Gold Race takes classic car hunters to the Ardennes and the location of the 2012 Road World Championships.

Favorites

Philippe Gilbert (BMC)

With his win on Wednesday at the Brabant Arrow, Belgian Philippe Gilbert (BMC) has made himself the favorite. Notably, this win was his first in a one-day race since the 2012 Worlds. that him the Beer classic lies, but not only shows his rainbow ride. He has already won the Amstel Gold Race twice so far.

Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

Michal Kwiatkoswki proves how well the Belgian flagship team Omega Pharma-QuickStep is positioned across the board. The Pole is considered one of the greatest talents in cycling. His victory at Strade Bianche impressively underlined that he has what it takes to win big races. You should pay attention to him in the final.

Simon Geschke (Giant Shimano)

In the Argos-Shimano dress, the Berliner finished 18th in Valkenburg a year ago. This placement was preceded by a fifth place in the Brabant Arrow. This year he finished the classic in fourth place. There should therefore be no question that Geschke is in form. His second place on the tough fifth stage from Tirreno-Adriatico, where he was beaten only by Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) a month ago, shows that he has what it takes to keep up with the front runners in the final.

In addition to the three drivers mentioned, other strong climbers will also try to excel. Last year's winner Roman Crucifier (Tinkoff-Saxo) will certainly do his best to repeat his win. But also Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) Alejandro Valverde (movistar), Tom Jelte Slagter (Garmin Sharp), Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) will want to have a say in the final.

Route

The drivers have to cover a total of 251 kilometers on Easter Sunday in Limburg. 34 climbs and a total of 4.000 meters in altitude promise an exciting race. The favorites will then put their cards on the table at the latest at the Cauberg, after all, on the third crossing of the 1.2 kilometer long, last climb of the day, it will be revealed who has played the best gamble so far.

An overview of the route can be found here. [Link]

climbs

1. Slingerberg / 1.3 kilometers / 4.8 percent
2. Adsteeg / 700 meters / 4.5 percent
3. Long Raarberg / 1.8 kilometers / 3.9 percent
4. Bergseweg / 2.6 kilometers / 3.3 percent
5. Sibbergrubbe / 1.8 kilometers / 3.9 percent
6. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent
7. Geulhemmerberg / 1 kilometer / 6.2 percent
8. Wolfsberg / 800 meters / 4.4 percent
9. Loorberg / 1.5 kilometers / 5.5 percent
10. Schweibergerweg / 2.9 kilometers / 3.9 percent
11. Camerig / 4.3 kilometers / 3.8 percent
12. Drielandenpoint / 3.7 kilometers / 3.7 percent
13. Gemmenich / 900 meters / 6.4 percent
14. Vijlenerbos / 1.8 kilometers / 5.1 percent
15. Eperheide / 2.3 kilometers / 4.1 percent
16. Gulpenerberg / 700 meters / 8.1 percent
17. Plettenberg / 1 kilometer / 4.2 percent
18. Eijserweg / 2.2 kilometers / 4.3 percent
19. Huls / 1 kilometer / 7.7 percent
20. Vrakelberg / 700 meters / 7.9 percent
21. Sibbergrubbe / 2.1 kilometers / 4.1 percent
22. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent
23. Geulhemmerberg / 1 kilometer / 6.2 percent
24. Bemelerberg / 900 meters / 5 percent
25. Loorberg / 1.5 kilometers / 5.5 percent
26. Gulpenerberg / 700 meters / 8.1 percent
27. Kruisberg / 800 meters / 7.5 percent
28. Eijserbosweg / 1.1 kilometers / 8.1 percent
29. Fromberg / 1.6 kilometers / 4 percent
30. Keutenberg / 700 meters / 9.4 percent
31. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent
32. Geulhemmerberg / 1 kilometer / 6.2 percent
33. Bemelerberg / 900 meters / 5 percent
34. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent

Live Stream

From 13:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday there will be links to the various live streams and www.cyclingfans.com [Link]