The Amstel Gold Race

I woke up this morning... Feeling tired and lazy, and not too keen to get out into the cold and watch the race. After a relaxed breakfast and watching mark webber drive an amazing race in china, it was time to get dressed and get on my bike.

The plan was to ride the 20k to the finish and watch the action.

Once i headed out, I found the day a lot warmer, and things just kept improving from there.

The race starts in Maastricht but it does 3 loops (each one different !) each loop finishing n the Cauberg. So thats where i headed.

Some views of my hotel... A renovated old farm. Very nice, especially in the sun shine !

No... It's not a road without a bike path.... It is a bike path !! The road is above with traffic lights, but cyclist just role on through. The whole 20k was on bike paths... It's crazy !

First stop was about 5k from the start. I stopped and got some goulash soup and the obligatory Amstel beer, to await the riders on the start of their last loop. I was stopped and posed for a photo in my Aussie shirt, this place is cycle crazy !

After seeing the riders pass, i headed for the end. Huge crowds but i found the bar/museum of the ride (just next to the pearl Izumi factory store ! Had 2 pieces of pie and a coffee . Both places had the race on tv, so it was easy to hangout and walk out in time to see the race pass !

When they passed me schleck was still off the front, so it was a great effort by Gilbert to take it out !

I left by riding up the Cauberg to the finish line... Thousands of people walking down so it was a bit tricky. Once passed the finish, i then got stuck in team bus hell... It's bizare when you get so blasé... I cut off the radio shack bus because i wanted to get outta there !

Looks like I might have to come back in September !

All in all a great day... Really lifted my spirits after a tough day yesterday. I'm still smiling !!