Amstel Gold Race

[steve]

The Amstel Gold Race is held (mostly) in the southern part of the province of Limburg, The Netherlands. Since 1989 it has been among the races included in season long rankings tables, as part of the UCI Road World Cup (1989–2004), the UCI ProTour (2005–2008) and the current UCI World Ranking.

The race is the Netherland's largest professional race but is frequently criticised for the danger of its course. The Netherlands is a densely populated country and the race runs through many suburbs and villages. With pressure on land being so great, many Dutch houses do not have garages and cars are left parked in the street. There are also many traffic-calming obstacles such as pinches, chicanes and speed humps, and further obstacles such as roundabouts and traffic islands.

The course is tough and selective, mainly because of the 31 hills that have to be climbed, some with angles as steep as 20% (Keutenberg).

Recent Past Winners
1990 Adri van der Poel (NED) Weinmann-SMM Uster-Merckx
1991 Frans Maassen (NED) Buckler
1992 Olaf Ludwig (GER) Panasonic-Sportlife
1993 Rolf Järmann (SUI) Ariostea
1994 Johan Museeuw (BEL) GB-MG Maglificio-Bianchi
1995 Mauro Gianetti (SUI) Polti-Vaporetto
1996 Stefano Zanini (ITA) Gewiss-Playbus
1997 Bjarne Riis (DEN) Team Telekom
1998 Rolf Järmann (SUI) Casino-AG2R Prévoyance
1999 Michael Boogerd (NED) Rabobank
2000 Erik Zabel (GER) Team Telekom
2001 Erik Dekker (NED) Rabobank
2002 Michele Bartoli (ITA) Fassa Bortolo
2003 Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) Team Telekom
2004 Davide Rebellin (ITA) Gerolsteiner
2005 Danilo Di Luca (ITA) Liquigas-Bianchi
2006 Fränk Schleck (LUX) Team CSC
2007 Stefan Schumacher (GER) Gerolsteiner
2008 Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre
2009 Serguei Ivanov (RUS) Team Katusha

2010 Amstel Gold Race Route

View attachment 11928

 

[steve]

Results and Video
​

2010 Amstel Gold Race News

14 riders to miss Amstel Gold Race: The volcanic eruption in Iceland and the resulting ash cloud has affected the team rosters for the Amstel Gold Race. Eight of the 25 participating teams will not go into full force into the race.
Link: 14 riders to miss Amstel Gold Race | Bike World News

Dashed by ash: Top cyclists will miss today's Amstel Gold race in the Netherlands because of the volcanic ash cloud disrupting flights across Europe. Alejandro Valverde, Carlos Sastre and Bradley Wiggins are unable to race because their flights have been cancelled.
Link: Dashed by ash

Volcano forces cyclists to miss Dutch race: Alejandro Valverde, Carlos Sastre and Bradley Wiggins are unable to race because their flights to the Netherlands have been canceled.
Link: The Associated Press: Volcano forces cyclists to miss Dutch race

Deignan aiming for solid performances in Ardennes Classics: Irish pro Philip Deignan will begin the first of the Ardennes Classics tomorrow knowing that he has a chance to show the Cervélo Test Team that he is coming into good shape. The Letterkenny rider had a difficult start to the year due to illness and injury, but tenth and twelfth on stages of the recent Circuit de la Sarthe was a good sign.
Link: Deignan Aiming For Solid Performances In Ardennes Classics | Cyclingnews.com

Wiggins hit by travel chaos: Bradley Wiggins has been ruled of Team Sky's squad for Sunday's Amstel Gold Race in the Netherlands after being stranded in Spain.
Link: Sky Sports | Cycling | News | Wiggins hit by travel chaos

Carlström primed to support Gerrans at Amstel: Kjell Carlström will head to Amstel Gold Race as one of Sky's road captains and while the Finnish national Champion has endured a tough start to his season, he is confident he can help Simon Gerrans to a good result on Sunday.
Link: Carlström Primed To Support Gerrans At Amstel, Liège | Cyclingnews.com

Volcano blows big hole in final start list for Amstel Gold: European travel restrictions that will see eight teams start without their full compliment of riders 178 of the originally 192 riders are expected to sign-on in Maastricht on Sunday morning.
Link: Volcano Blows Big Hole In Final Start List For Amstel Gold | Cyclingnews.com

Valverde, Sanchez miss Amstel Gold due to Volcano Eyjafjallajökull: Alejandro Valverde and Luis Leon Sanchez will not take part in Amstel Gold Race, with the Spanish pair unable to travel to the Netherlands due to the extensive closure of European airspace. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has given Caisse d'Epargne special permission to start Sunday's race with just three riders.
Link: Valverde, Sanchez Miss Amstel Gold Due To Volcano Eyjafjallajökull | Cyclingnews.com

Ash forces Wiggins out: Bradley Wiggins has been forced to miss this weekend's Amstel Gold cycling race due to the volcanic ash cloud which has shut down air travel in Britain.
Link: The Press Association: Ash forces Wiggins out

Sastre out of Amstel due to Volcano Eyjafjallajökull: Carlos Sastre's light early-season race programme has been further reduced after the Spaniard confirmed that he will miss Amstel Gold Race as a result of the effects of Volcano Eyjafjallajökull on European air travel. Sastre's Cervélo teammate Volodimir Gustov will miss the race after his flight was also cancelled.
Link: Sastre Out Of Amstel Due To Volcano Eyjafjallajökull | Cyclingnews.com

Cyclists vs. the volcano: Riders to miss race: Top riders Alejandro Valverde, Carlos Sastre and Bradley Wiggins will all miss Sunday's Amstel Gold cycling race because their flights to the Netherlands were canceled because of the volcanic ash cloud disrupting aviation across Europe.
Link: Cyclists vs. the volcano: Riders to miss race - Universal Sports

Volcano Eyjafjallajökull rules Wiggins out of Amstel Gold Race: Team Sky has confirmed that Bradley Wiggins will not ride Sunday's Amstel Gold Race after being stranded at his Spanish home in Girona because of the effect of Volcano Eyjafjallajökull on European air travel.
Link: Volcano Eyjafjallajökull Rules Wiggins Out Of Amstel Gold Race | Cyclingnews.com

Gilbert in top form for Amstel Gold Race: Philippe Gilbert is convinced he has hit peak form just in time for the Ardennes Classics and feels he is ready to end Omega Pharma-Lotto team's long drought of results.
Link: Gilbert In Top Form For Amstel Gold Race | Cyclingnews.com

Valverde “very motivated” for the Ardennes: Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) is a rider whose characteristics are well suited to the classics of the Ardennes, the Amstel Gold Race, la Flèche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. The controversial Spanish rider approaches the races after two stage wins and finishing second overall in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, behind RadioShack’s Chris Horner. He is now raising his sights to his next targets of the season: the hilly classics of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Link: Valverde ?very motivated? for the Ardennes | VeloNation Cycling News and Reference

Irish trio to be tested: NICOLAS ROCHE, Philip Deignan and Daniel Martin will face important tests in the next nine days, with three spring Classics on the agenda. Ag2r La Mondiale rider Roche and Deignan (Cervélo Test Team) will compete in the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, taking on the world’s best riders in the hilly, 257-kilometre event.
Link: Irish trio to be tested - The Irish Times - Fri, Apr 16, 2010

Valverde, and the 'punchers', take aim at Amstel: Controversial Spaniard Alejandro Valverde will continue to provoke cycling's world ruling body when he lines up with possible victory in mind at the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday.
Link: Valverde, and the 'punchers', take aim at Amstel - Cycling - More Sports - Sports - The Times of India

Hesjedal aiming high at the Ardennes: After strong performances in the Tours of Catalunya and the Basque Country, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) heads into the Ardennes Classics in fine form and told Cyclingnews that he doesn’t fear anybody as he aims to win Garmin their first major Spring Classic.
Link: Hesjedal Aiming High At The Ardennes | Cyclingnews.com

Tired Cancellara to miss Amstel Gold Race: The 29-year-old Swiss won the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in two displays of supremacy in successive weeks, but will now take a break before building up to the Tour de France.
Link: Other Sports - Sport - Virgin Media

Cancellara withdraws from Amstel Gold Race: Fabian Cancellara has called an end to his incredibly successful spring Classics campaign after taking the decision to withdraw from this Sunday's Amstel Gold Race.
Link: Cancellara Withdraws From Amstel Gold Race | Cyclingnews.com

Winner Hel Mergelland in Amstel Gold Race: Yann Huguet, recently winner of the Hel van het Mergelland will start in the Amstel Gold Race next Sunday. The Frenchmen is added to the Skil-Shimano team for the Dutch ProTourclassic. At first Huguet was not selected. In comparison with the earlier announced Skil-Shimano selection for the Amstel Gold Race the German Robert Wagner, the Australian Michel Docker and the Japanese Yukihiro Doi dropped out. Their place will be filled in by the earlier mentioned Huguet, Piet Rooijakkers and the Frenchmen Thierry Hupond.
Link: Amstel Gold Race

Kroon confident ahead of Amstel Gold Race: Despite a disappointing start to his 2010 season, Karsten Kroon believes he will be a contender in Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race. Kroon and his BMC remain without a win this season, but the Dutchman will draw confidence on the fact that World Champion Cadel Evans will be there to support him on Sunday.
Link: Kroon Confident Ahead Of Amstel Gold Race | Cyclingnews.com

Gerrans ready for Ardennes Classics: After top-ten finishes at Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège last year, Simon Gerrans (Sky) is about to embark on his first major goals of the season in the Ardennes Classics.
Link: Gerrans Ready For Ardennes Classics | Cyclingnews.com

Sastre slips into Cervélo squad for Amstel Gold: The Cervélo TestTeam has announced that Carlos Sastre will ride the Amstel Gold Race this Sunday as preparation for next month's Giro d'Italia, which gets underway in Amsterdam on May 8.
Link: Sastre Slips Into Cervélo Squad For Amstel Gold | Cyclingnews.com

 

[steve]

2010 Amstel Gold Race Start List

Katusha
1 Sergei Ivanov
2 Serguei Klimov
3 Alexandr Kolobnev
4 Luca Mazzanti
5 Filippo Pozzato
6 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
7 Maxime Vantomme
8 Eduard Vorganov

Ag2R-La Mondiale
11 José Luis Arrieta Lujambio
12 Maxime Bouet
13 Dimitri Champion
14 Alexander Efimkin
15 Biel Kadri
16 David Le Lay
17 René Mandri
18 Nicolas Roche

Astana
21 Allan Davis
22 Scott Davis
23 Dmitriy Fofonov
24 Enrico Gasparotto
25 Andriy Grivko
26 Maxim Iglinskiy
27 Mirko Selvaggi
28 TBC

Caisse d'Epargne
31 Arnaud Coyot
32 Imanol Erviti
33 José Vicente Garcia Acosta
34 Vasil Kiryienka
35 David Lopez Garcia
36 Luis Pasamontes Rodriguez
37 Luis León Sánchez Gil
38 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte

Euskatel - Euskadi
41 Sergio De Lis De Andrés
42 Aitor Galdos
43 Inaki Isasi Flores
44 Egoi Martinez De Esteban
45 Mikel Nieve Ituralde
46 Juan José Oroz Ugalde
47 Alan Pérez Lezáun
48 Ivan Velasco Murillo

Footon - Servetto
51 Matthias Brandle
52 Eros Capecchi
53 Manuel Antonio Cardoso
54 Markus Eibegger
55 Fabio Felline
56 Martin Pedersen
57 Aitor Perez Arrieta
58 Rafael Valls Ferri

Francaise Des Jeux
61 Sandy Casar
62 Gianni Meersman
63 Francis Mourey
64 Anthony Roux
65 Wesley Sulzberger
66 Benoît Vaugrenard
67 Jussi Veikkanen



Garmin - Transitions
71 Steven Cozza
72 Timothy Duggan
73 Ryder Hesjedal
74 Michel Kreder
75 Martijn Maaskant
76 Christian Meier
77 Danny Pate
78 Johan Van Summeren

Lampre - Farnese Vini
81 Matteo Bono
82 Damiano Cunego
83 Francesco Gavazzi
84 David Loosli
85 Manuele Mori
86 Daniele Pietropolli
87 Daniele Righi
88 Alessandro Spezialetti

Liquigas - Doimo
91 Francesco Bellotti
92 Mauro Finetto
93 Kristjan Koren
94 Roman Kreuziger
95 Vincenzo Nibali
96 Manuel Quinziato
97 Ivan Santaromita
98 Frederik Willems

Omega Pharma - Lotto
101 Mario Aerts
102 Christophe Brandt
103 Mickael Delage
104 Phillippe Gilbert
105 Daniel Moreno Fernandez
106 Jean-Christophe Peraud
107 Greg Van Avermaet
108 Jurgen Vandenbroeck

Quick Step
111 Carlos Barredo Llamazales
112 Dario Cataldo
113 Sylvain Chavanel
114 Dries Devenyns
115 Kevin Deweert
116 Addy Engels
117 Jerome Pineau
118 Jurgen Van De Walle

Rabobank
121 Lars Boom
122 Oscar Freire Gomez
123 Robert Gesink
124 Sebastian Langeveld
125 Paul Martens
126 Nick Nuyens
127 Bram Tankink
128 Laurens Ten Dam

Sky Professional Cycling Team
131 Kjell Carlström
132 Russell Downing
133 Simon Gerrans
134 Mathew Hayman
135 Serge Pauwels
136 Nicolas Portal
137 Ben Swift
138 Davide Viganò

Team HTC - Columbia
141 Michael Albasini
142 Craig Lewis
143 Tony Martin
144 Maxime Monfort
145 Marco Pinotti
146 Vicente Reynes Mimo
147 Martin Velits
148 Peter Velits

Team Milram
151 Johannes Fröhlinger
152 Christian Knees
153 Dominik Roels
154 Roy Sentjens
155 Niki Terpstra
156 Paul Voss
157 Fabian Wegmann
158 Peter Wrolich

Team Radioshack
161 Ben Hermans
162 Chris Horner
163 Fuyu Li
164 Dimitri Muravyev
165 Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho
166 Ivan Rovny
167 Tomas Vaitkus
168 Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre

Team Saxo Bank
171 Jonas Aaen-Jörgensen
172 Andre Steensen
173 Laurent Didier
174 Jakob Fuglsang
175 Andy Schleck
176 Frank Schleck
177 Nicki Sørensen
178 Jens Voigt

BMC Racing Team
181 Brent Bookwalters
182 Marcus Burghardt
183 Cadel Evans
184 Mathias Frank
185 Karsten Kroon
186 Jeffry Louder
187 Steve Morabito
188 Simon Zahner

Cervelo TestTeam
191 Davide Appollonio
192 Philip Deignan
193 Xavier Florencio Cabré
194 Volodymir Gustov
195 Edward King
196 Daniel Lloyd
197 Carlos Sastre Candil
198 Xavier Tondo Volpini

Landbouwkrediet
201 Dirk Bellemakers
202 Davy Commeyne
203 Bert De Waele
204 Hans Dekkers
205 Sébastien Delfosse
206 Bart Dockx
207 Benjamin Gourgue
208 Geert Verheyen

Skil - Shimano
211 Roy Curvers
212 Koen De Kort
213 Simon Geschke
214 Floris Goesinnen
215 Yann Huguet
216 Thierry Hupond
217 Piet Rooijakkers
218 Albert Timmer

Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
221 Sander Armee
222 Jerome Baugnies
223 Johan Coenen
224 Piete Jacobs
225 Maarten Neyens
226 Preben Van Hecke
227 Kristof Vandewalle
228 Pieter Vanspeybrouck

Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
231 Matteo Carrara
232 Arnoud Groen van
233 Johnny Hoogerland
234 Sergey Lagutin
235 Bjorn Leukemans
236 Marco Marcato
237 Wouter Poels
238 Rob Ruygh

 

[steve]

Past Amstel Gold Race Videos

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5SJHCfXuXw]YouTube - 1998 Amstel Gold Race[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJWqnHbb2Bg]YouTube - Amstel Gold Race 1975[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfwL_9ZXiFE]YouTube - Amstel Gold Race on Cycling TV[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTGenXKvhzI]YouTube - Robert Gesink Compilatie 2008[/ame]

 

[steve]

I think Valverde is looking good for the win, perhaps one last win?? who knows.

 

[Andrija]

During the winter Andy Schleck was saying that he's targeting this race. The plan, then, was - Andy for Amstel, with Frank's help; and Frank for Liege with Andy's help, off course.
At the moment, neither one of them looks to be in race winning shape. Their early season wasn't the happiest one, so they are very quiet now.
Maybe the problems with air transport in northern Europe could effect their rivals who have to make longer trips.
I think Katusha, Caisse, Liquigas, BMC will wait attacks from other teams choosing who of their riders will follow which attack.
Voigt could be Saxo's joker. He's been in good form and could take advantage of Schlecks' marking.
This is hardest race to predict a winner. It's not exclusively climbers' course, many of riders see their chance.

Edit:
I've just seen that Schlecks will have some extra motivation for coming classics.
I've forgotten to notice that Saxo's searching for a new sponsor. So far this spring, they've presented themselves very well. Maybe it's too much to expect continuation of that trend.

 

[limerickman]

That was a nice win by Philippe Gilbert : very impressive sprint finish by Gilbert left the field for dead.

I know that some riders were unable to attend (due to the air travel restriction) but the field still had the Schlecks and Freire's of this world.

 

[limerickman]

Actually Sergei Ivanov rode a great Amstel race.

 

[Maxiton]

That was a nice win by Philippe Gilbert : very impressive sprint finish by Gilbert left the field for dead.

I know that some riders were unable to attend (due to the air travel restriction) but the field still had the Schlecks and Freire's of this world.

I was busy in another window trying unsuccessfully to get the stupid English commentary to work and missed the finish. But the race was exciting.

 

[limerickman]

I was busy in another window trying unsuccessfully to get the stupid English commentary to work and missed the finish. But the race was exciting.

Ivanov went for a long distance break with about 4kms to go.

But got caught by the chasing bunch with about 2kms to go.
In the last 300m's, Gilbert popped out of the pack and won the spring.

 

[Andrija]

Determined ride from Gilbert, I'd say. He was determined to save his spring campaign. He marked well all attacks in last 15 kilometers and perfectly timed his own.
I think this was last chance for him and Lotto to save their spring season. Next two classics are more for climbers. But maybe, on wings of today's victory, he tries something in Liege hoping he won't be caught.
Deserved victory and I'm glad he did it. He's a fine rider.

 

[limerickman]

Determined ride from Gilbert, I'd say. He was determined to save his spring campaign. He marked well all attacks in last 15 kilometers and perfectly timed his own.
I think this was last chance for him and Lotto to save their spring season. Next two classics are more for climbers. But maybe, on wings of today's victory, he tries something in Liege hoping he won't be caught.
Deserved victory and I'm glad he did it. He's a fine rider.

Agreed PG is a fine cyclist and I like him a lot.
Particularly hsi stance on the doping issue.

delighted that he won today.

 

[steve]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGwLKjCys2k]YouTube - Amstel Gold Race 2010 - (1/2) Eyserbosweg / Fromberg / Keutenberg[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH8YHKGnp0g]YouTube - Amstel Gold Race 2010 - (2/2) Final kilometers[/ame]


2010 Amstel Gold Race Results

1 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 6:22:54
2 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:02
3 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana
4 Bert De Waele (Bel) Landbouwkrediet 0:00:05
5 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo
6 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Footon-Servetto
7 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:07
8 Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 0:00:09
9 Karsten Kroon (Ned) BMC Racing Team 0:00:11
10 Chris Horner (USA) Team Radioshack
11 Paul Martens (Ger) Rabobank
12 Sergie Ivanov (Rus) Team Katusha
13 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
14 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank 0:00:17
15 Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Team Katusha
16 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 0:00:19
17 Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:00:21
18 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:25
19 Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Quick Step 0:00:37
20 Jurgen Vandenbroeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:00:46
21 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo 0:00:56
22 Alexandr Kolobnev (Rus) Team Katusha 0:01:11
23 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0:01:38
24 Bjorn Leukemans (Bel) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 0:02:02
25 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Team Milram
26 Nick Nuyens (Bel) Rabobank 0:02:07
27 Xavier Florencio Cabre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team 0:02:11
28 Benoit Vaugrenard (Fra) Française Des Jeux 0:02:18
29 Bram Tankink (Ned) Rabobank 0:02:25
30 Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
31 Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Footon-Servetto 0:02:29
32 Fabio Felline (Ita) Footon-Servetto 0:02:34
33 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:02:36
34 Manuele Mori (Ita) Footon-Servetto 0:02:56
35 Johan Coenen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator 0:03:19
36 Simon Geschke (Ger) Skil - Shimano
37 Bert Scheirlinckx (Bel) Landbouwkrediet
38 Jerome Baugnies (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
39 Roy Sentjens (Bel) Team Milram
40 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana
41 Michel Kreder (Ned) Garmin - Transitions
42 Michael Albasini (Swi) Team HTC - Columbia
43 Juan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
44 Geert Verheyen (Bel) Landbouwkrediet
45 Lars Petter Nordhaug (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team
46 Inaki Isasi Flores (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
47 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Astana
48 Rob Ruygh (Ned) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
49 David Loosli (Swi) Footon-Servetto 0:03:26
50 Dmitriy Fofonov (Kaz) Astana 0:03:28
51 Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
52 Kjell Carlstrom (Fin) Sky Professional Cycling Team
53 Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank
54 Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
55 Maxime Montfort (Bel) Team HTC - Columbia
56 Peter Velits (Svk) Team HTC - Columbia 0:03:32
57 Aitor Perez Arrieta (Spa) Footon-Servetto
58 Luca Mazzanti (Ita) Team Katusha 0:03:38
59 Daniele Pietropolli (Ita) Footon-Servetto
60 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
61 Johannes Frohlinger (Ger) Team Milram
62 Nicki Sorensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank
63 Ivan Rovny (Rus) Team Radioshack
64 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Sky Professional Cycling Team
65 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française Des Jeux
66 Biel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
67 Christian Knees (Ger) Team Milram
68 Anthony Roux (Fra) Française Des Jeux 0:03:45
69 Ivan Velasco Murillo (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:03:52
70 Matteo Bono (Ita) Footon-Servetto
71 Marco Pinotti (Ita) Team HTC - Columbia 0:03:59
72 Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
73 Christophe Brandt (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:04:02
74 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Omega Pharma-Lotto
75 Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil - Shimano 0:08:59
76 Christopher Froome (Ken) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:10:20
77 Marcel Wyss (Swi) Cervelo Test Team 0:10:31
78 Bart Dockx (Bel) Landbouwkrediet
79 Jacob Fuglsang (Den) Team Saxo Bank
80 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha
81 Imanol Erviti (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
82 Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
83 Mathew Hayman (Aus) Sky Professional Cycling Team
84 Steven Van Vooren (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
85 Kristjan Koren (Slo) Liquigas-Doimo
86 Roy Curvers (Ned) Skil - Shimano
87 Arnoud Van Groen (Ned) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
88 Maxime Bouet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
89 Markus Eibegger (Aut) Footon-Servetto
90 Steve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing Team
91 Mirko Selvaggi (Ita) Astana
92 Serguei Klimov (Rus) Team Katusha
93 Kristof Vandewalle (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
94 Sander Armee (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
95 Dimitri Champion (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
96 Ben Gastauer (Lux) AG2R La Mondiale
97 Ivan Santaromita (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo
98 Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Rabobank
99 Jurgen Van De Walle (Bel) Quick Step
100 Mario Aerts (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
101 Dimitri Muravyev (Kaz) Team Radioshack
102 Daniele Righi (Ita) Footon-Servetto
103 Francis Mourey (Fra) Française Des Jeux
104 Xavier Tondo Volpini (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
105 Staf Scheirlinckx (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:11:19
106 Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia
107 Wouter Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
108 Jose Vinc Garcia Acosta (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:11:37
109 Alessandro Spezialetti (Ita) Footon-Servetto 0:14:25
110 Dario Cataldo (Ita) Quick Step
111 Christian Meier (Can) Garmin - Transitions
112 Dominik Roels (Ger) Team Milram
113 Manuel Antonio Cardoso (Por) Footon-Servetto
114 Koen De Kort (Ned) Skil - Shimano
115 Thierry Hupond (Fra) Skil - Shimano
116 Preben Vanhecke (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
117 Mouro Finetto (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo
118 Addy Engels (Ned) Quick Step
119 Sebastien Delfosse (Bel) Landbouwkrediet

 

[Maxiton]

Ivanov went for a long distance break with about 4kms to go.

But got caught by the chasing bunch with about 2kms to go. In the last 300m's, Gilbert popped out of the pack and won the spring.

Thanks for that. I saw Ivanov's break but missed the catch and then Gilbert. When I came back to it he was already dismounting and I was wondering what happened.

Determined ride from Gilbert, I'd say. He was determined to save his spring campaign. He marked well all attacks in last 15 kilometers and perfectly timed his own.
I think this was last chance for him and Lotto to save their spring season. Next two classics are more for climbers. But maybe, on wings of today's victory, he tries something in Liege hoping he won't be caught.
Deserved victory and I'm glad he did it. He's a fine rider.

Let's make it a trio then because I agree. Maybe L-B-L then - hope so but I think it might be a bit much for him.

Agreed PG is a fine cyclist and I like him a lot.
Particularly hsi stance on the doping issue.

I'm still sorry I didn't pick him for third at Flanders. In retrospect he was the perfect choice for that spot.

delighted that he won today.[/QUOTE]

 

[Maxiton]

Of course, in saying that he was the perfect pick for third in Flanders, I'd also add that he was the perfect choice for first - were it not for having Cancellara and Boonen in front of him.

 

[Yojimbo_]

Ryder Hesjedal from Canada came second.

Nice job Ryder.