FINAL KM: Tro-Bro Léon, Amstel Gold Races, Commonweath Games

So much cycling to celebrate this past weekend, let’s not waste any time…

Tro-Bro Léon: Lannilis to Lannilis, 203.2km

The Breton race delivered drama over the ribinou – the dirt road sectors this race is famed for. Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) attacked solo with 5km to take a superb victory. Who says this team is all about Nacer Bouhanni? Ride of the day went to the defending champion Damien Gaudin (Direct Energie) who would not give up, coming back time and time again but just couldn’t get on par with Laporte over the final kilometres. Jelle Mannearts took the sprint for third from the chasing group – and introduced my new favourite team name Tarteletto-Isorex.

Video…

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La joie du vainqueur @chris_lap à l'arrivée du #TroBroLeon✌️ Bravo champion 👏#CofidisMyTeam #victoire #cycling #sunday 📷 @abivenfanny

A post shared by Team Cofidis Équipe Cycliste (@teamcofidis) on Apr 15, 2018 at 12:47pm PDT

Tro Bro Leon : Christophe Laporte fait son chemin https://t.co/K691zEYxWy @LAPORTEChristop @TeamCOFIDIS @trobroleon pic.twitter.com/ORI0QA2BVe

— Philippe Priser (@philippepriser) April 16, 2018

Ne jamais rien lâcher ! Respect pour ta 2eme place @DamDamGaudin @trobroleon pic.twitter.com/ml0scsgaWA

— Blaise Chauviere🚴🏻 (@blaisou85) April 15, 2018

Did you see #TroBroLeon ? I think I'm a little bit in love with @damiangaudin shelled from the group a number of times and still wrestled his bike to get 2nd. What a fighter

— Rich Mellen (@hardboiled2006) April 16, 2018

Best Breton finisher Oliver Le Gac (Groupama-FDJ) with his piglet prize

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Tro Bro Leon Piggy Podium with Olivier Le Gac Groupama FDJ @legacolg @equipegroupamafdj #trobroleon #procycling #fdj #groupama #breizh

A post shared by Ruby Roubaix (@ruby_roubaix) on Apr 15, 2018 at 11:22am PDT

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Alors @legacolg plus à l'aise sur le vélo ou avec le p'tit cochon ?? 😂😂 Belle course en tout cas 💪👍#trobroleon

A post shared by Chris Uguen (@chris.uguen) on Apr 15, 2018 at 1:40pm PDT

Every year the new race poster features a painting of the reigning champion by race organiser John Paul Mellouët. Here’s the 2018 edition featuring Gaudin in the Armee de la Terre kit.

Masterpiece. Like always. #TroBroLeon on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/A8VlH2NbDT

— Szymon Biskup (@yutaBiskup) April 13, 2018

Love

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Father and son Cyril et Théo Gautier @ag2rlamondiale_procyclingteam @rudy6001 #trobroleon #bretagne #cycling #instacycling

A post shared by Yves Perret (@yves_perret) on Apr 15, 2018 at 11:21am PDT

Not so much a hipster race as rooted deeply in it’s rugged landscape. Bravo #TroBroLeon

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A day on the road #rideyourdream #lookcycle #trobroleon 📸 @brunobadephoto

A post shared by LOOK CYCLE (@lookcycle) on Apr 15, 2018 at 1:20pm PDT

Les photos du #TroBroLeon sont à retrouvez ici : https://t.co/38ou59C9Nq pic.twitter.com/ixhHUx9cM4

— Awen (@AwEnlg29) April 16, 2018

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That #trobroleon / Bretagne magic! 🐴

A post shared by Kristof Ramon (@kramon_velophoto) on Apr 15, 2018 at 9:28pm PDT

Who’s in?

Oh @pariswheels we HAVE to be roadside at next year's TroBro! #BrittanyOrBust

— VeloVoices (@VeloVoices) April 15, 2018

Amstel Gold Race ladies Edition: Maastricht to Berg en Terblijt, 116.9km

Chantal Blaak (Boels-Dolmans) took her first Women’s WorldTour victory in front of her home fans. part of a strong six rider lead group,the World Champion timed her sprint on the Cauberg to perfection, keeping Lucinda Brand (Sunweb) behind her all the way to the line. Mitchelton-Scott’s Amanda Spratt rounded out the podium after a fine attacking ride. Victory gives Blaak the overall lead in the Women’s World Tour.

Video…

Full race report at Cycling News

"It's really beautiful to win the Amstel Gold Race in front of a home crowd wearing the rainbow jersey." – @ChantalBlaak. @Amstelgoldrace report up now:https://t.co/gMB4eDq7xa #UCIWWT #AGR pic.twitter.com/LAImxKH4FL

— Boels-Dolmans (@boelsdolmansct) April 15, 2018

#AGRWomen Check out our updated report with race gallery from today's Women's @Amstelgoldrace, where @lucinda_brand raced to a well-deserved 2nd.

📸 https://t.co/5xS5ytUnQC pic.twitter.com/zrhJxfrXBo

— Team Sunweb (@TeamSunweb) April 15, 2018

Tdy I gave it all to make sure I get a result. I know some people think I raced stupid but believe me, this 6th place feels like a win after so many years working hard and never be reward or caught 1km to go like in Bergen.Thanks to my teammates to give me this opportunity ❤️ pic.twitter.com/M1Q6R7pH74

— Audrey CORDON-RAGOT (@CordonRagot) April 15, 2018

Amstel Gold Race: Maastricht to Berg en Terblijt, 116.9km

Astana put two Danes in the winning move and played it perfectly with Michael Valgren adding the Amstel Gold to his Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory to crown a feisty spring campaign. Second in 2016 Valgren beat Roman Kreuziger (Mitchelton-Scott) in a two up sprint with Bahrain-Merida’s Enrico Gasparotto holding for third.

Video

Our race review is here. Full race report at Cycling News

King of the day – I’ve always liked those Amstel thrones

Det virker ok på en dag som i dag… @MichaelValgren kongen af #agr2018 pic.twitter.com/ycEcJaDCFT

— Sanne Jakobsen (@JakobsenSanne) April 15, 2018

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Just woke op from a dream but realized I actually did win @Amstel goldrace Couldn’t have done it without a super dream team, all from riders, souigners, mechanics, sports directors yeah ALL team! Super happy. Thanks to all the messages I am overwhelmed Also congratulations to a good friend on second @r_kreuziger #astana #oakley #argon18 #giordana #sidi #limar #champagne #winning #happy @proteamastana Photo credit: @bettiniphoto @sprintcycling

A post shared by Michael Valgren Hundahl (@valgrenmichael) on Apr 15, 2018 at 10:41pm PDT

You’re not the only one Mark…

I’m officially a @MichaelValgren fanboy. If you watch him race, you like him. If you speak to him, you like him even more. Nice work mate. #amstelgoldrace

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) April 15, 2018

Special mention for Lawson Craddock of EF Education First-Drapac pb Cannondale who was out in the break of day and held on to finish 9th. What an effort and so good to see after a torrid 2017.

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Amstel, in the books. Brilliant ride by @lawsoncraddock, right? "After suffering through such a terrible 2017 I wasn’t going to let six kilometers get in the way of a result today. I’m just happy that I could finish today off for everyone that has stood loyally by my side." Excited to see the guys line up again Wednesday.

A post shared by EF Pro Cycling (@efprocycling) on Apr 16, 2018 at 1:24pm PDT

Possibly the best description of the Amstel Gold Race from his teammate Alex Howes #MarioCart

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The new final for the @amstelgoldrace is looking pretty narrow! Ok fine, this video is not from the actual course but the new final isn’t far off. Can’t wait to get out there and play real life, adult Mario cart on the most complex, dynamic and unpredictable course in the sport of cycling. It’s a real racers race that requires the utmost respect for the game if you hope to succeed. Legs are good, team is strong, mind is clear and eyes are already scanning for banana peels, turtle shells, traffic furniture, road signs, poles, quicksand and wormholes. LET’S RACE!!!

A post shared by Alex Howes (@alex_howes) on Apr 14, 2018 at 8:09am PDT

Commonwealth Games Round Up

Embed from Getty Images

It was gold fever on the Gold Coast for Team Australia as they took top step of the medal podium in all the road disciplines.

Women’s Time Trial: Katrin Garfoot (AUS), Linda Villumsen (NZL), Hayley Simmonds (ENG). Race report from Cycling News

Men’s Time Trial: Cameron Meyer (AUS), Harry Tanfield (ENG), Hamish Bond (AUS). Race report from Cycling News

Women’s Road Race:Chloe Hoskins (AUS) Georgia Williams (AUS), Dani Rowe (WAL). Race report from Cycling News

Men’s Road Race: Steele Von Hoff (AUS), Jon Mould (WAL), Clint Hendriks (RSA). Race report from Cycling News

👍🏻 @Katrin_Garfoot is the 2018 Commonwealth Games TT Champion #teamaus #auscyclingteam pic.twitter.com/oyeplqnxac

— AusCyclingTeam (@AusCyclingTeam) April 10, 2018

2018 Commonwealth Games Cameron Meyer dad reaction to cycling gold https://t.co/fu7QbkO7M2 pic.twitter.com/WiazUwLT9B

— Cycling News (@CyclingNewz) April 10, 2018

Love this image gallery by the Uber talented @tbsphotography on @ellacyclingtips from our @GC2018 women’s road race. Captures all of the emotions from our dominant team performance. https://t.co/vQ4YDRlytn

— Tiffany Jane (@tiffanycromwell) April 16, 2018

This was Steele von Hoff a month ago, riding a mountain bike for the first time in a neck brace after breaking four vertebrae. Today he became Commonwealth Games champion with gold in the road race. One of the most incredible things I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/TfgzHBsxqr

— Reece Homfray (@reecehomfray) April 14, 2018

Header Image: Victorious Australians – Jason O’Brien/Getty Images