It went sideways early for Lorena Wiebes at the Amstel Gold Race, but she still did her best as a teammate.
The Dutch champion lined up with the intention of taking the dub, but well…best laid plans and all that.
“I’ve become stronger. You need a really good day here,” she told Wielerflits before the race. “If you’re not at one hundred per cent, it’s going to be a hard race.”
She ended up calling it a day off well before the race hit its decisive phase. Even so, her afternoon didn’t end there.
Posted up in the feed zone, Wiebes switched roles, taking on soigneur duty. She was seen, still in kit, passing bottles to her SD Worx–Protime teammates.
io la amo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HVSOXq2yWr
— Alice (@esserealice) April 19, 2026
Ardennes Week opened with a lively Amstel in the Netherlands, where Paula Blasi pulled off a shock win for UAE-Team ADQ. She became the first Spaniard to take the title. A late call-up, she made it count, attacking on the final circuits and holding firm on the Cauberg to stay clear.
Behind, Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma led the chase but couldn’t close the gap in wet conditions. Blasi crossed the line 27 seconds ahead, with Niewiadoma second and Vollering third. Victoria’s Sarah van Dam impressed with a fantastic seventh, the top result among a strong Canadian contingent on the day. It’s another big result for the Visma-Lease a Bike rider, who already has shown she’s ready to compete with the best this year.
Next up for the women is La Flèche Wallonne. The start lists are not quite final, but we do know that Sherbrooke’s Magdeleine Vallières Mill (EF Education Oatly) will be there in her rainbow jersey and will give it on the Mur de Huy. The same goes for the men. So far only fellow Quebecer Hugo Houle (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is listed, but there will most likely be more names added.