Elisa-Longo Borghini awarded most aggressive as Lizzie Deignan forceful in her comeback race.
Trek-Segafredo came into the Amstel Gold race with an aggressive race plan, and it all started with Lizzie Deignan’s attack with around 40 kilometers remaining. Although the move was quickly snuffed it showed that Deignan in less than top form still raised alarms, and it kicked off a flurry of activity and non-stop action by the race favorites to the end.
Lizzie Deignan (GBR) of Trek-Segafredo rides at the front during the Amstel Gold Race.
Tayler Wiles (USA) of Trek-Segafredo reaches the top of the Keutenberg during the Amstel Gold Race.
I guess I still have the head of someone with stronger legs! It was a good opportunity to go and you never know if someone will come across in the crosswinds. I had no idea what to expect today. Every time they went on the climbs, I knew I would blow up if I followed the accelerations, so I rode my pace, was dropped by 20 meters and kept coming back. That will come back with racing. Considering it's one of the hardest Classics and my first race, I can be pretty happy with it.
- Lizzie Deignan
Lizzie Deignan (GBR) of Trek-Segafredo reaches the top of the Keutenberg during the Amstel Gold Race.
A few kilometers later, it was a well-timed counter by Elisa Longo Borghini – later joined by two then three riders – that stuck until 13 kilometers to go. Just when the quartet was being absorbed by the chase group, Longo Borghini jumped again.
Longo Borghini continued her effort until Ashleigh Moolman (CCC-Live) and Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) bridged with six kilometers remaining, but the trio was tagged back on the downhill ahead of the Cauberg finish.
This attack stuck for most of the second lap around Valkenburg.
Elisa Longo Borghini goes up the road again.
It was a gutsy effort by Longo Borghini, and after nearly 35 kilometers in the lead, she was out of gas for the climb to the line and settled for 14th place. However, it earned her a trip onto the podium for the most-aggressive prize.
“Our plan was to be aggressive, and Ina (Teutenberg, director) wanted us to attack on the small loops in the end,” explained Longo Borghini. “I really wanted to show that I had good legs, and to prove to my team that I was strong. I wanted to give payback for Flanders and all the work that the team did for me there. I want them to believe in me and to believe that I am a hard worker and I will deliver somewhere, sometime, again a victory. Today I really tried, and I felt good, and I enjoyed the race a lot. Thanks to the team, directors, and staff – now we have to look ahead to Fleche and Liege.”
Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA) of Trek-Segafredo celebrates winning the most aggressive rider's award after the Amstel Gold Race.
It was fun to just race, and we all raced aggressively, and that's why Elisa's break went because we kept trying. She had a super strong race. It was nice for Elisa because she's found her legs I think.
- Lizzie Deignan
The helicopter hovers over the break during the Amstel Gold Race.
Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA) of Trek-Segafredo attacks during the Amstel Gold Race.
