Amstel Gold Race 2021 – Tightest finish ever? Wout van Aert denies Tom Pidcock by millimetres
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Updated 18/04/2021 at 16:27 GMT
Van Aert avenged his defeat at Brabantse Pijl in midweek after being awarded victory at Amstel Gold Race – despite replays initially showing the Belgian and Pidcock were basically inseparable. Max Schachmann took the final spot on the podium after breaking clear with the leading duo with 15 kilometres remaining.
'It’s a close one!' – Van Aert beats Pidcock by tightest of margins
Wout van Aert (Team Jumbo-Visma) edged Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) in the tightest of finishes that initially left the cycling community split as to who had won the race.
Replays showed the pair arrive at the line dead level, with organisers requiring a photo finish to award victory to Van Aert.
The pair had broken clear with Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final 15 kilometres, working well together to keep a swelling bunch group behind at bay.
The pace slowed in the final kilometre after it became clear they could not be caught, with Van Aert positioned at the front of a three-way game of cat-and-mouse.
Van Aert led out the sprint with Pidcock locked on his back wheel, with the Brit pulling side-by-side in the final few metres. Indeed, Pidcock appeared to have snatched victory after throwing his bike across the line – only for the official photo finish to side with the Belgian.
Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange) led home the chasers in fourth.
It was another hugely impressive performance from 21-year-old Pidcock, who looks set for a golden career on the road after making an instant impact at Ineos.
Pidcock out-sprinted Van Aert to win Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday for his first major road victory.
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