Stage 1: Pre-race Favorites Press Conference Full Results and Report
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The peloton now knows that cyclo-cross star Mathieu VAN DER POEL (NED/CORENDON - CIRCUS) is a force to reckon with | 
Race favorites press conference before AGR | 
Mathieu VAN DER POEL (NED/CORENDON - CIRCUS): "I’m a favorite... ok, but not the only one. There are a lot of riders who’ve proven more than me.""The results this spring are beyond expectations. I had hoped to be in the final in one race. But to be so close in every race is beyond what I could have dreamed." | 
Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal): “Classics of 250 kilometres and more, are elimination races anyway. Last year's edition, when the real finale began on the Keutenberg, actually went the way I like it. I was ahead with seven other strong riders. During the final local lap, it was a cat-and-mouse game of attacks, while we also caught the escapees very late. Valgren and Kreuziger were eventually granted just enough freedom to fight for the win. I am not against a similar turnout on Sunday, because I need to poker a bit to get rid of the faster riders. It will come down to choosing the right moment to attack. That did not work in 2018, resulting in a sixth place. Of course, we hope to do better this year. ”“The Brabantse Pijl was a successful test, which showed that my shape is good. That does not automatically mean I will be great in the Amstel Gold Race, but I am going to the start without any doubts. The team was very strong on Wednesday, as the nice fifth place of Bjorg Lambrecht proved. The question for him is whether he can also play a significant role in a long and tough Classic. That is of course part of his development, but I am curious." “The actual finale starts from the Kruisberg and the Eyserbosweg. That is already very close to the finish, but at that moment it is important to have a few teammates nearby who can guide you to that duo in a good position. With the Fromberg and Keutenberg just after those two climbs, the race will be decided within a distance of ten kilometres. Especially the run-up towards the Kruisberg is crucial, because all the favourites want to sit at the front of the bunch. Then you need riders who can still put you in a perfect position after 220 kilometres. This has worked out well in the previous years. ” | 
Paris-Roubaix winner, Philippe Gilbert | 
Julian Alaphilippe. From Deceuninck Quick Step press release: the Runner-up a few days ago at Brabantse Pijl, Julian raced Amstel Gold Race on four occasions and featured in the main selection three times, finishing 7th, 6th and 7th, results that backed by his impressive form in 2019 make him one of the main contenders. For Philippe, it will be the 14th start at the Dutch classic, which the Belgian has won on four occasions (2010, 2011, 2014, 2017), a coveted feat only one other rider has achieved since its inception. Also see, Alaphilippe: Mathieu van der Poel is a phenomenon — cyclingnews
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Stage 2: Full Results and Report
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The spotlight was on Mathieu Van Der Poel in his home country of the Netherlands... and deservedly so | 
The rollout from Maastricht to Berg en Terblijt, 266 km of hilly, narrow Dutch roads | 
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Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands / Team Corendon) stretches his legs with 46 km to go while Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Spain / Team Astana) looks on | 
As noted by Dan Lloyd, this race was the first time that Alejandro Valverde has finished outside the top 50 of any race, and any stage of any race, since 7th May, 2016. | 
Mathieu VAN DER POEL (NED/CORENDON - CIRCUS) before he was brought back | 
36 km to go: Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Team Astana) and Julian Alaphilippe (France / Team Deceuninck - Quick Step) attacked on Eyserbosweg | 
Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Team Astana) and Julian Alaphilippe (France / Team Deceuninck - Quick Step) | 
With 2 km to go, it looked like Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Team Astana) and Julian Alaphilippe (France / Team Deceuninck - Quick Step) had a good enough lead over the Kwiatkowski at 29s and the chase group led by Mathieu Van Der Poel at 44s | 
With the chase group in tow, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands / Team Corendon - Circus) roars past Fuglsang and Alaphilippe in the final 100m, avg 65 km/h in the final km | 
Best ambush ever as the tv commentator said, Mathieu VAN DER POEL (NED/CORENDON - CIRCUS) wins in 6:28:18 ahead 2nd Simon CLARKE (AUS/EF EDUCATION FIRST) and 3rd Jakob FUGLSANG (DEN/ASTANA) | 
The finish scene of this extraordinaire finish | 
Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands / Team Corendon - Circus) can't believe it. Chases for 8 km pulling a large group, catches and blows by the break and then wins the sprint against the riders on his wheel. Unreal. | 
Best finish and victory salute | 
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Needless to say, the home country fans and media went wild. First Dutch winner of this race in something like 18 years. | 
Your 2019 Amstel Gold Race winner, Mathieu VAN DER POEL (NED/CORENDON - CIRCUS) | 
Your men's winner, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands / Team Corendon - Circus) and women's winner Niewiadoma Katarzyna Kasia (Poland / Canyon SRAM) |
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