April 28/02 11:25 am - Bartoli Takes Amstel Gold

Posted by Editor on 04/28/02
 

Amstel Gold World Cup #5 - Netherlands

Michele Bartoli (Fassa Bortolo) has won the fifth round of the World Cup, the 254 kilometre Amstel Gold.

Six riders broke away 30 kilometres into the race and, given the windy and wet conditions, the peloton was in no mood to chase them initially. The leaders (reduced to 4 after 110 kilometres at the front) were kept within shouting distances - 7 to 8 minutes - until the final 60 kilometres, when US Postal went to the front and set tempo. After this the gap came down quickly, and it was all but over when Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) attacked on the climb, with 40 kilometres to go.

Boogerd was joined by Lance Armstrong (US Postal), Bartoli and Sergei Ivanov - the latter two both Fassa Bortolo. This proved to critical, as the two teammates attacked and counter-attacked, forcing Armstrong and Boogerd to chase them down. Both Armstrong and Boogerd tried to get away in the last 10 kilometres, but were brought back. As the leaders headed into the finally 500 metres, the riders slowed to a walking pace, before Ivanov led out the sprint. Armstrong was on his wheel, but in a bad position, boxed in beside Bartoli. Ivanov made it 1-2 for Fassa Bortolo, with Boogerd third and Armstrong fourth.

Unofficial results

1 Michele Bartoli (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
2 Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Fassa Bortolo
3 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank
4 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service
5 Oscar Freire (Esp) Mapei - Quick Step
6 Peter Van Petegem (Bel) Lotto - Adecco
7 Jo Planckaert (Bel) Cofidis