The Dutch national champion has established his fearsome reputation in cyclo-cross and mountain bike events before enjoying an impressive debut classics season on the road.

He appeared to be out of contention to win the Amstel Gold Race heading into the closing six kilometres of the 263km International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race in Limburg in The Netherlands. 

The Corendon-Circus rider delivered a superb ride to close a gap of over one minute to the leading group containing France’s Julian Alaphilippe and Denmark’s Jakob Fuglsang.

Van der Poel then launched a superb sprint in the closing metres to snatch victory, with the Dutchman triumphing in 6 hours 28min 18sec.

His first classics victory came after an impressive win earlier this month at Dwars door Vlaanderen.

The two-time world cyclo-cross champion was followed across the line by Australia’s Simon Clarke, who ended on the same time.

Fuglsang placed third, with Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo winner Alaphilippe placing fourth.

The women’s race, held over 127km and part of the UCI Women's World Tour, saw Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma hold on in the closing stages to claim victory.

She attacked on the final climb of the race and held off the challenge of The Netherlands’ Annemiek Van Vleuten in the final kilometre.

The Canyon - SRAM Racing rider crossed the line in 3:25:48, with Van Vleuten second on the same time.

Marianne Vos, another Dutch rider, completed the top three after finishing 10 seconds down on the winner.