Amstel Gold Race

Philippe Gilbert (Quick Step) has won the Amstel Gold Race, the first race of the Triptych of the Ardennes, which continues the next week with the Fleche Walllonne (April 19th) and the Liége-Bastogne-Liége (April 23rd). The Belgian has been faster than the Polish Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky), the two strongest men from a group of seven riders who have disputed the triumph. The new route of this race has been spectacular, taking away the last climb to the Cauberg from the finish line.

In that main group was José Joaquín Rojas, partner of Alejandro Valverde in Movistar Team. The Spanish Champion answered in the Kruisberg to the attempt of Gilbert, Benoot, Henao, Ion Izagirre, Albasini or Haas. Later, in the hard climb to the Keutenberg, Kwiatkowski reached them while Valverde or Van Avermaet were only at 10 seconds to do the same. That distance grew with the passage of the kilometers. This group was eventually reached by the bunch. Valverde finished 19th and Rojas finished 5th.