Amstel amazes, defending champs triumph on the Mur: Weekly News Digest

It’s okay to admit it – sometimes you’re just too busy to stay up to date on every bit of news from the world of cycling. Need a recap of the week’s biggest happenings? No problem. The final Daily News Digest of the week will be a Weekly News Digest, with highlights from the headlines of the past few days to bring you a quick, to-the-point summary of what happened this week.

Van der Poel, Niewiadoma take Amstel Gold victories

Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon-Circus) delivered what will very likely go down as one of the rides of the year to win the Amstel Gold Race. The Dutchman did much of the work at the front of a chase group to close a seemingly impossible gap to a handful of riders up the road, and then won the unexpected sprint ahead of Simon Clarke (EF Education First) and Jakob Fuglsang (Astana).

It was a performance that stunned fans and commentators alike. Bradley Wiggins even said on his podcast that he thinks van der Poel might be able to win a Grand Tour one day. Lovers of data can also dig into the wattage behind the Amstel win – for some of the highlights, check out Zach Nehr’s piece analyzing van der Poel’s Strava file.

On the women’s side, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) put in a great ride of her own to solo to victory in Berg en Terblijt ahead of Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) and Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv).

Alaphilippe, van der Breggen defend titles at Flèche Wallonne

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) and the aforementioned Fuglsang, the duo that was caught in the Amstel finale, didn’t wait long to duke it out again at the front of a race. The pair went head-to-head leading up the Mur de Huy in the finale of La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday. Alaphilippe took his second straight Flèche Wallonne win at the line with Fuglsang in second and Diego Ulissi (UAE-Team Emirates) in third.

Anna van der Breggen (Boels Dolmans) won her fifth straight women’s Flèche Wallonne title, charging up the Mur to take a convincing victory ahead of van Vleuten, with Annika Langvad (Boels Dolmans) rounding out the podium.

Garmin announces Edge 530 and Edge 830

Garmin announced two new additions to its collection of bike computer offerings, the Edge 530 and the Edge 830.

In addition to all the standard Garmin features, the new products will feature more advanced analytics and mapping options.

Follow the link for more from Sarah Lukas.

Sagan calls time on his Classics campaign

Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) will not be making his Liège-Bastogne-Liège debut this spring after all.

The 29-year-old Slovakian had been planning for a first career start at Liège since last winter, but has decided to end his Classics campaign early, withdrawing from the expected start. Things did not go Sagan’s way this spring; he has no victories in one-day events this year. Instead of racing Liège, he is taking some time off ahead of the Amgen Tour of California.

12 speed trickles down to Chorus

Campagnolo has announced an update to the Chorus groupset that will bring 12-speed tech to the more budget-friendly line.

Global Tech Editor James Huang has all the details.

Friday News

Continental rider De Greef dies at 27

Robbert de Greef, the Alecto Cycling rider who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Omloop van de Braakman nearly a month ago, has died at age 27.

De Greef was hospitalized for weeks after the race. His Continental squad posted a hopeful update last week stating that De Greef might be receiving heart a transplant if his health improved. His condition worsened on Thursday, however, and Alecto shared the awful news on Friday.

“Unfortunately we have to confirm with great sorrow that Robbert died last night due to complications after his cardiac arrest,” Alecto said via a statement.

“Thanks for everything Robbert. We will never forget you!”

Sivakov wins Tour of the Alps

Pavel Sivakov (Sky) held on through a tough fifth and final stage to win the Tour of the Alps.

Fausto Masnada (Androni-Giocattoli) soloed to the stage 5 win ahead of Carlos Quintero (Manzana Postobon) and Simone Velasco (Neri Sottoli). Sivakov finished safely in an elite group of GC contenders to wrap up the GC victory with Sky teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart in second overall and Bahrain-Merida’s Vincenzo Nibali rounding out the podium.

Stage 5 results

1 MASNADA Fausto (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec)
2 QUINTERO Carlos (Manzana Postobon)
3 VELASCO Simone (Neri Sottoli – Selle Italia – KTM)
4 CATALDO Dario (Astana Pro Team)
5 THALMANN Roland (Team Vorarlberg Santic)
6 VUILLERMOZ Alexis (AG2R La Mondiale)
7 NIBALI Vincenzo (Bahrain Merida)
8 CATTANEO Mattia (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec)
9 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao (Team Sky)
10 SIVAKOV Pavel (Team Sky)

Final GC

1 SIVAKOV Pavel (Team Sky)
2 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao (Team Sky)
3 NIBALI Vincenzo (Bahrain Merida)
4 CATTANEO Mattia (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec)
5 MASNADA Fausto (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec)
6 MAJKA Rafal (BORA – hansgrohe)
7 HIRT Jan (Astana Pro Team)
8 CATALDO Dario (Astana Pro Team)
9 THALMANN Roland (Team Vorarlberg Santic)
10 VLASOV Aleksandr (Gazprom-RusVelo)

Jumbo-Visma announces development program

Dutch WorldTour squad Jumbo-Visma has announced a new initiative geared towards young Dutch riders that features “school projects, club support, and a new development team” for under-23 road and cyclocross hopefuls.

“We aim to create a sustainable cycling program where we inspire people to join sports and develop talents on their way to the top, contributing to building a healthier and more active society,” said team director Richard Plugge.

The Weekend Docket

The men’s and women’s pelotons take on the last major Classic of the spring on Sunday: Liège-Bastogne-Liège. One of the longest and most difficult races on calendar, “La Doyenne” features a revamped finale this year that could spice up the final few kilometers.

Matt de Neef has everything you need to know ahead of the race.

Feature Image: Jakob Fuglsang and Julian Alaphilippe charge up the Mur de Huy at La Flèche Wallonne. Photo: ©kramon