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News & Racing<\/a><\/p>\n A first-time winner is all but guaranteed in at least one of the three Ardennes Classics, with some top favourites \u2013 including Tadej Poga\u010dar \u2013 opting out of the triple crown.<\/p>\n Cor Vos, Gruber Images<\/p>\n The Ardennes Classics have become a bit of a coda to their flatter, more cobbled, more Flemish cousins further north. While the Amstel Gold Race, La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne and Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge have often presented opportunities for the underdogs among the more climb-oriented puncheurs, we\u2019re now very used to seeing the same riders show themselves across the entire spring. There is, though, at least some reason to be excited about Ardennes Week 2026.<\/p>\n Before we get ahead of ourselves, it\u2019s worth pointing out that at least two outcomes this week are fairly easily predictable. That is, Remco Evenepoel will try and go solo to avoid a repeat of his 2025 disappointment at the Amstel Gold Race, and Tadej Poga\u010dar will come back fighting post-Paris-Roubaix to win his third Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge in a row, capping off his remarkable spring Classics campaign.<\/p>\n However, there will be reason to tune in, if for no other reason than a determined optimism that one or many will spice things up, do their damnedest to spoil the favourites\u2019 party, just as Mattias Skjelmose managed 12 months ago.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Skjelmose shocks Poga\u010dar and Evenepoel to win the Amstel Gold Race<\/p>\n For the first time in recent memory, a long-range strike from Tadej Poga\u010dar was brought to heel.<\/p>\n There have been some truly epic editions of Amstel Gold in the past decade or so: Micha\u0142 Kwiatkowski\u2019s first and only win in the rainbow bands of road world champion in 2015, and his second win seven years later; Philippe Gilbert\u2019s fourth and final win on happy hunting ground in 2017; Wout van Aert\u2019s contentious sprint victory ahead of Tom Pidcock in 2021, and the Brit\u2019s redemptive triumph three years later; Mattias Skjelmose\u2019s surprise win after he and Evenepoel brought Poga\u010dar to heel last season \u2013 but none have come close to the legendary 2019 edition which became a benchmark for one-day drama, a reference point for every race since, and proof that Group 2 Syndrome can be overcome if only you\u2019re motivated (and strong) enough to throw caution to the wind.<\/p>\n This post is for subscribers only Already have an account? Sign in<\/a><\/p>\n Did we do a good job with this story?<\/p>\n \n \ud83d\udc4dYep![\"Kit](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/profile-pic-KN-150x150.jpg\")
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<\/a>A new chapter for the Amstel Gold Race<\/p>\n
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