As tradition prescribes, this year's edition of the Dutch one-day classic, Amstel Gold Race was a demanding elimination race where riders along the way were dropped because of the still increasing pace of the field in order to catch the morning escapees.

The 190 riders left Maastricht under fantastic conditions for the 46th Amstel Gold Race. With 32 climbs and 260,4 kilometers in front of them, several riders tried to leave the bunch behind. Every attempt proved to be in vain, average speed in the first hour: 46.5 km/ph.

The race sparked into life in the final 30 kilometres as Katusha set about splitting the field. Joaquin Rodriguez set the pace on the Fromberg, leading a group of favourites including several of his teammates, Gilbert, Schleck and a trio of Rabobank riders of Robert Gesink, Oscar Freire and Luis Leon Sanchez.
Leopard Trek made its bid for victory over the top of the Keutenberg, the day's penultimate climb, as Andy accelerated away from the lead group.

Over the final 13 kilometres Andy stretched out his lead but never had more than 10 seconds as Omega Pharma-Lotto kept him in check. Rabobank, with their cards still to play, looked like the strongest bet for a win as Freire, Gesink and Sanchez all sat in and let Gilbert's team work.

However, with the final climb of the Cauberg up to the finish to come and Andy's lead hovering around five seconds, it was Jelle Vanendert again who did the work before Rodriguez hit out for home, catching Schleck in the process.

It would have been the winning play if the Spaniard and 2010 world number one didn't have Gilbert glued to his wheel and in the final 400 meters the Belgian came through to take his second Amstel title in two years, joining Dutchman Jan Raas as the only riders to win back-to-back editions.

“My attack came at the right moment,” said Andy. “This was the key point for Fränk when he won. Jakob was doing a great job behind. I can’t finish in a sprint like this and win. I’m not going to beat Philippe Gilbert in a sprint, and that’s why I put in my attack when I did.”

Joaquim Rodriquez (Katusha) jumped from the chase group and took Gilbert with him. The two overtook Andy 500 metres from the finish. “When he passed me, I lost everything,” Andy said. “I wasn’t able to do anymore. I had just done a big time trial effort, and it was all I had.”

Gilbert was able to come around Rodriquez for the win. Simon Gerrans (Sky) finished third with Fuglsang narrowly missing out on the podium in fourth place.

Andy: “Today I had a very good go. I feel better than I ever did before at this point in the season,” said Andy. “Without being arrogant, I think I was one of the strongest in the race. I’m mentally good, and physically, I still have more to come.”