At this point, the route entered a series of circuits around the town of Valkenburg aan de Geul.

The riders then entered a short circuit around the town of Vaals, where the Drielandenpunt, the Gemmenich and the Vijlenerbos came within 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) of one another.

At the top of the climb, there were approximately 1.7 kilometres (1.1 miles) of fairly flat roads to the finish line in Berg en Terblijt.

[7][8][9][10] The Amstel Gold Race had been won in the past by riders who attacked a long distance from the finish line.

As there was a flat section after the climb, there was also opportunities for riders dropped on the Cauberg to rejoin any escapees and to bring the race together for a sprint finish.

[7][11][12] The race was therefore expected to suit puncheurs, especially those who were also able to defend a solo lead ahead of a chasing group.

Several other former champions took part in 2014: Kreuziger (Tinkoff–Saxo), Enrico Gasparotto (Wanty–Groupe Gobert), Damiano Cunego (Nippo–Vini Fantini), Fränk Schleck (Trek Factory Racing), Stefan Schumacher and Davide Rebellin (both CCC–Sprandi–Polkowice).

[7][14] Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team), who had come fourth in 2014, was also among the major favourites and was in strong form following three stage wins during the Volta a Catalunya.

Michał Kwiatkowski (Etixx–Quick-Step), the incumbent world champion, Joaquim Rodríguez (Team Katusha) and Michael Matthews (Orica–GreenEDGE) were also considered to have a strong chance of winning the race.

The six riders were Laurens De Vreese (Astana), Jan Polanc (Lampre–Merida), Timo Roosen (LottoNL–Jumbo), Linus Gerdemann (Cult Energy Pro Cycling), Johann van Zyl (MTN–Qhubeka) and Mike Terpstra (Team Roompot).

The peloton initially hesitated in letting the break escape, but soon relented and the leading group's advantage grew to approximately 10 minutes by the time they reached Mechelen after 90 kilometres (56 miles) of racing.

[15][16] On the second loop around Valkenburg, Movistar Team came to the front of the peloton to chase the breakaway in support of Alejandro Valverde.

They reduced the breakaway's lead to four minutes and briefly broke a small group free on the descent from the Bemelerberg, but a mechanical problem for Valverde forced them to stop chasing and bring him back to the front of the peloton.

A second group attacked, made up of Tony Martin (Etixx–Quick-Step), Vincenzo Nibali and Diego Rosa (both Astana), Wilco Kelderman (LottoNL–Jumbo), Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team) and Alex Howes (Cannondale–Garmin).

[15][17] Kelderman missed a corner shortly afterwards and was forced to ride through a field to rejoin the race; he was unable to catch up with the leading riders.

Rosa and Caruso crashed on a corner, reducing the group to five riders, while Movistar Team were again leading the chasing peloton.

Kwiatkowski was a long way behind with 500 metres (1,600 ft) remaining, but was able to stay in the slipstream of the other riders and recover from the climb.

He also became the fourth rider to win the Amstel Gold Race while wearing the rainbow jersey; the others were Eddy Merckx, Jan Raas and Bernard Hinault.

He described the race as "an amazing day" and said that it "[put] the dot on the i" following the Etixx–Quick-Step team's second-place finishes at the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix.

Gilbert attributed his failure to stay away from the chasing pack in part to the lack of a tailwind on the final flat section after the Cauberg, while his reputation as the main favourite for the race also worked to his disadvantage.

[19][20] Valverde, meanwhile, was delighted at his second-place finish, which was the best result of his career at the Amstel Gold Race, declaring himself "happy with second" and looking forward to the remainder of the Ardennes classics.