Bartoli Takes Gold – Amstel, That is!

Fassa-Bortolo’s Michele Bartoli (Ita) won today’s 5th round of the UCI World Cup, the 258 km Amstel Gold Cup in Maastricht, Holland. In a closely fought sprint, he beat his team mate Sergei Ivanov, Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), and Lance Armstrong (US Postal) for the top spot.

The four riders broke away with about 25 km to go, and quickly pulled away from the pack. With 12km to go, the four leaders began attacking each other in a frenzy, each time coming back together. With 3km left, they realized that no one was getting away, and settled into the tactical game of cat & mouse to set up the four-man sprint finish.

Armstrong, who has been twice second to Boogerd in 1999 & 2001, will again be waiting for next year’s race, but is proving his pre-Tour form is on track.

Full race report and results to follow later today, so stay tubed to PCN!

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