Van Dam finishes seventh in gruelling Amstel Gold Race
# Van Dam Secures Seventh in Challenging Amstel Gold Race
In an intense edition of the Amstel Gold Race, Sarah Van Dam finished in seventh place amidst a fiercely competitive field. With a historic struggle unfolding in the Dutch hill classic, the race saw five riders break away early, building a substantial three-minute lead before being reeled in 70 kilometers from the finish line.
As the peloton approached the third of five laps over the Cauberg, a split occurred, leaving around thirty riders vying for victory. Among the leading group were Femke de Vries, Marianne Vos, and Van Dam, who notably made a strong impression. Blasi attacked early in the final stretch, bringing Nienke Vinke along for support. On the Cauberg ascent, Blasi decisively left Vinke behind, steadily increasing her lead over the chasing competitors.
By the time the riders reached the base of the final climb, Blasi had a considerable one-minute advantage, securing her victory as she crossed the finish line solo. Van Dam showcased her strength, sprinting to a commendable seventh place in the following group. Reflecting on the race, sports director Jos van Emden commented, “It was a tough race. As far as I know, this was the toughest edition ever… Hats off to Blasi, she rode incredibly hard. Sarah nearly sprinted for a podium place and eventually finished seventh. All in all, I’m satisfied.”
Two-time race winner Marianne Vos had a challenging day on the course. “It was a gruelling race. FDJ set a fast pace early on, and you know then it’s going to be a tough day,” she noted. Although she struggled, Vos managed to support her teammate Van Dam, aiming to maximize their team presence for a potential attack. “I didn’t have the legs myself, so I tried to set Sarah up as best I could at the foot of the final climb up the Cauberg,” she explained.
### Amstel Gold Race 2023 Results
1. Paula Blasi, UAE Team ADQ – 04:02:15
2. Kasia Niewiadoma, CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto – +00:00:27
3. Demi Vollering, FDJ United – SUEZ – +00:00:27
7. Sarah Van Dam, Team Visma | Lease a Bike – +00:00:43
24. Marianne Vos, Team Visma | Lease a Bike – +00:01:31
25. Femke de Vries, Team Visma | Lease a Bike – +00:02:26
38. Lieke Nooijen, Team Visma | Lease a Bike – +00:05:55
42. Viktória Chladoňová, Team Visma | Lease a Bike – +00:05:55
44. Rosita Reijnhout, Team Visma | Lease a Bike – +00:05:55
The race highlighted the endurance and strategic prowess of the participating teams, with Van Dam’s performance standing out in the face of tough conditions and high pressure.
