Fifth position in the Amstel Gold Race
Alejandro Valverde started his three big one-day events on Sunday with a fifth place in the Amstel Gold Race. The Movistar Team cyclist was one of the most brilliant men in a beautiful race, won by the Danish Michael Valgren Andersen (Astana). Valverde tried to break the group of favorites twice, a outstanding group composed in the final kilometers by eight riders, including Peter Sagan, Julian Alaphilippe or Tim Wellens.
Before that selection, his teammates worked in the front of the bunch. Mikel Landa was in charge of taking care him in the final part of the race. When he was without teammates, Valverde launched two hard attacks in the ascents to Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg that made suffer his rivals.
The Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday the 18th and the Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday 22nd will be the next two targets for Valverde.