Amstel Gold Race: a Frenchman wants to prevent the announced coronation of van der Poel

Victorious à la Flèche Brabançonne, Benoît Cosnefroy hopes to take a step forward in the Amstel Gold Race whereù he will have strong à do with favorite Mathieu van der Poel.

With Paris-Roubaix last week, the Flandriennes chapter closed; and now the time has come to begin its Ardennes side with a triptych which begins, this Sunday, at the Amstel Gold Race on the lands of Mathieu van der Poel. If the latter presents himself, once again, as the immense favorite, the French hope to be able to thwart the announced coronation. of the darling of Dutch cycling. "On the Amstel Gold Race then LièBastogne-Liège, there will be a lot of competitors. Opponents perhaps fresher than me and who climb better than I do", believes the Dutchman.

A new course for Cosnefroy, Vauquelin also applies

This is the case of Benoît Cosnefroy. The Decathlon-AG2R puncher gained ground this spring by coming to the event. This is the end of a form of curse accompanying him in recent years. After four consecutive podiums, including the frustrating one of 2020 when, in the lead, he was doubled &agrav; 50m from the finish, he was finally able to raise his arms like a winner. the Flèbrabançonne. A good omen before putting the wheels back on the Dutch Classic that he knows well.

Indeed, in 2022, it had failed. by nothing against the Pole Michal Kwiatkowski. An experience which hardened him and confirmed to him that he indeed has a shot at life. playing in this corner of the Netherlands, even more so with his current form. "I tell myself that it's possible", he admits, pointing to the course as an ally& oacute; making the Amstel Gold Race less simple & control and more prone to disorderly movements.

This playground could also please everyone. another Frenchman. "Repeated effort and wear and tear might suit me (…) I've always liked the bumps", admits in L'Equipe Kevin Vauquelin. The runner from Arkéa-B&B Hôtels finds a bit of his native Normandy in Dutch Limburg, although the bumps are steeper here. Nothing to frighten the winner of the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes who has prepared for the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes. conscientiously about his business and aims for a place of honor, if possible in the Top 10 or better still to take a new step in his career as the announced favorite was able to do in his time. eacute;.

Hunting for the Ardennes

If the ambition of the Tricolores is legitimate, the reality is: This will be tested hard because van der Poel will be at the start. At home, the King of the North looks back on the race that revealed him to the general public in 2019. "This victory is one that I'll never forget. The scenario left its mark. spirits, and what's more it was my first real big victory on the road. These are moments that we must cherish", remembers the world champion. Five years ago, he surprised the competition and took advantage of the competition. with a marking & at the front of the race, to take victory by coming back from nowhere.

A striking first à which he would like to follow up on. "Having also finished' fourth in 2022 proves that this race in Limburg suits me particularly well. It's a bit like a mini Tour of Flanders, with lots of turns and steep climbs, but without the cobblestones", van der analyzes Stove à About this bristling journey of 33 bergs.

On this tailor-made route, the local will be able to rely as much on the exceptional dynamic which escorts him and his team this season, as well as on a strong collective (Vermeersch, Kragh Andersen, Hermans), entirely dedicated to &agrav; its cause. At 29, the winner of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix is ​​tackling the challenge. a new terrain, in the kingdom of punchers-climbers where the French also intend to express themselves and shine, in the absence of several big names like Roglic, Pogacar and Evenepoel.