Published on : 04/19/2026
The opening race of the Ardennes Classics, the Amstel Gold Race featured a demanding 257.2 km course through the Dutch Limburg, with 33 climbs and the return of the Cauberg in the final.
A nine-man breakaway went clear early in the race, with the peloton quickly bringing the gap under control. The pace then increased significantly in the second half, especially on the Loorberg and Gulperberg, where the peloton stepped up the tempo.
In conditions made more challenging by the rain, the race gradually split apart. Ion Izagirre positioned himself well in the chasing group heading into the final.
But luck turned against him at a key moment. A puncture forced him to chase after a bike change. Despite this setback, he managed to limit the losses and crossed the line just ahead of the peloton to take 12th place.
Alex Aranburu finished 16th, while Dylan Teuns also came in with the peloton.
Reaction from Bingen Fernández, Sports Director :
“A nine-rider breakaway went clear early, with the peloton keeping the gap under control. Things really started around 145 kilometres from the finish, and the rain added more stress to the peloton.
We had Ion Izagirre in the chasing group behind the two leaders. He punctured at that moment. The team cars were too far back, so he was helped by neutral service. He still managed to take 12th place.
Alex Aranburu finished 16th and we also had Dylan Teuns in the peloton. It’s a shame, because without that puncture, Ion could have been fighting for the podium. But that’s racing.”