Norwegian rider Ingvild Gåskjenn made a name for herself at Amstel Gold Race with a phenomenal sprint to claim her first ever WorldTour podium, with a fantastic third place finish in top company.
The 25-year-old found herself at the forefront of the race after the final Cauberg climb, and with a blistering pace being set inside the final 300 metres, the sprint opened up and the Liv AlUla Jayco rider had a clear run to the line. Stopping to catch her breath 50 metres later, the Norwegian talent couldn’t quite believe what she had just achieved.
Earlier on in the day, it was an eventful start as the race was halted for around one hour after the peloton completed 45 kilometres due to a separate incident on the road ahead. After the lengthy pause, the race resumed but with a distance subsequently reduced down to 101km and with three finish laps left to tackle.
The tension was high, and as a dangerous breakaway group of three headed up the road, the reduced peloton was on edge. Coming into the final lap, with less than 18 kilometres remaining it looked as if the trio would stay away with no real cohesive chase behind.
New Zealand champion Ella Wyllie launched multiple attacks throughout the final lap but was unable to gain any advantage and it wasn’t until the last ascent of the Cauberg climb, inside three kilometres to go, when the leaders were finally caught.
Originally leading out Alex Manly, who finished in third place at the recent Brabantse Pijl, Gåskjenn kept herself towards the front assisting her teammates. As the pace picked up and the mad dash for the line unfolded, the 25-year-old found herself in an ideal position and came away with the biggest result of her career, in fine style behind well-established Dutch super starts, Marianna Vos and Lorena Wiebes.
Ingvild Gåskjenn – 3rd place
“I don’t have words; it was really not the plan to go for me, Alex Many was our sprinter. She was there in the final and I brought Mavi Garcia back into the Cauberg the last time and then we were both in a good position. I just went full gas; I had super legs and I found myself on Wiebes’ wheel and I was just like I feel good, I am here, I will go for it and wow yeah, it’s third place.”
Wim Stroetinga – Sport Director
“It was quite a different race, we stopped for one hour and it was quite a different then with the three finally laps. Usually, it suits the punchy riders more like Ella and Mavi but then Ingvild showed what she can do. It is an amazing third place and if we had said this morning we will finish with third place we would have been happy. Of course, you always go for the win but this one is really nice and good for Ingvild.”
2024 Amstel Gold Race results:
1. Marianne Vos 2:35:02
2. Lorena Wiebes ST
3. Ingvild Gåskjenn (Liv AlUla Jayco)
Photo: Sprint Cycling
