If no one complained, it means that the photo finish result is good for everyone, even if looking at the images, Pidcock still gives the feeling of having been there first. Amstel It has just ended and from the pixel evaluation of the arrival camera it emerges that Van Aert's advantage on the line is 6 millimetersThe podium put an end to any possible doubts, the Belgian understood at Brabant that he could not trust the little Englishman and He took him on the only level where he was sure he could overcome him: that of power.But it was really close.
Pidcock's Regret
Pidcock sniffed and walked back to the bus. His plan is to stay up North until the Freccia and then go home, but we wouldn't be surprised if they asked him to do it. a little trip also in the hills between Liège and Bastogne.
«I should have left first “I was faster,” Pidcock said. “That was a great lesson.” I left Wout a small margin, but we were too close to the finish lineI was behind him, when I should have stayed in the lead. I had a good race. I think I was the strongest and I'm happy with that feeling.. But it's frustrating that the difference was so small."
Best Italian
«We almost caught them too – jokes Kristian Sbaragli, seventh at the finish – they were lucky that Chaves puncturedHe was pulling for Matthews and suddenly, bye… Otherwise, with him pulling and also a teammate of mine, I don't know if they would have made it. But with ifs and buts you don't get anywhere., so honor to the winner."
The best of Italians realized immediately that his team was missing an important name and that if he had been there, the race probably wouldn't have arrived all packed up until the last 40 kilometers.
«But in my opinion – he says – other than Van der Poel's absence, we were all cautious because no one knew the new routeWe were compact until we entered the Cauberg circuit, then our legs started to shake because it was just as tough. Yet we were within 3 seconds of him. I had a good sprint, and I'm taking home a nice top 10, a seventh place that was in line with the others. I could easily have been fourthWe came this close to playing for an Amstel despite the fact that, without Mathieu, no one would give us a penny."
Lesson learned
Van Aert remained in the middle of the road for a couple of minutes that felt like a lifetime, looking in the other's gaze for confirmation of a feeling that has never been truly clear.
"The margin was really small," he said, "because after crossing the finish line I couldn't comprehend anything. A few moments later, while the radio was telling me I'd won, I saw the images again on the big screen, and my doubts returned. I only believed it when the Jury entered the room where we were changing and gave me the confirmation.I couldn't have done it alone. The only lesson I learned on Wednesday at the Brabant Arrow is that never underestimate Pidcock again, although I honestly didn't think I'd done it. Today was a different sprint, faster and flatter, so I knew it was in my favor. But judging by the narrow margin, I have to say that I found a great opponent. That kid is really strong.».
What does Valverde do?
The rest disappeared under the strain that crept into my legs despite the certainly not prohibitive difference in altitude. As Sbaragli says, every five minutes there was a climb and this eventually put the weight on everyone's legs, especially those who arrived at this start of the Northern challenges with their reserves already fired up. This could be the case of Alaphilippe, for example, who finished in sixth place: perhaps the ending didn't suit his explosiveness, but to know how things really stand, you just have to wait a couple of daysWhile Van Aert announces that the bike will now end up in the garage and Van der Poel has announced a nice month away from racing, the highlight of the season is coming for Julian. Meanwhile, old Valverde is growing upMaybe writing him off too soon wasn't the best choice.
