42nd Amstel Gold - Team Comments & Photos
Bart Hazen Photo Gallery 1 of the Amstel Gold Race, and after race comments.

Gerolsteiner's Stefan Schumacher at the race start. Photo c. Bart Hazen

The break of the day... Tom Stubbe (Chocolate Jacques), Boyougues Olivier Bonnaire, Nick Ingels (Predictor/Lotto), Daniel Musiol (Wiesenhof/Akud) and Piet Rooijakkers of Skil/Shimano that took the flyer at 52 kilometers into the race. Photo c. Bart Hazen

Defending champion of Amstel Gold, Alejandro Valverde at the start.

Caisse d' Epargne
Alejandro Valverde Sixth
Optimistic for Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Alejandro Valverde, who was the sixth of the Amstel Gold Race, won by the German rider of the Team Gerolsteiner, Stefan Schumacher, declared after he arrived at the top of the Cauberg:

 “In the first part of the race, my team-mates did a great job to control the breakaway. Later, in the final, when the break with the favourites went, I was too far behind and I had to spend a lot of energy to come in front. That was surely the key of my race, but at the same time I have to admit that the Team Gerolsteiner was really strong today, with three riders in front of the race. After Schumacher attacked, I was the only one to work to try to catch him. After that, when Kessler attacked, I understood that I had not even a chance to finish on the podium, but anyway I am satisfied before the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Today I saw that my rivals are very strong, but not superiors.”

The peloton in Arendsgenhout. Photo c. Bart Hazen

The break on the Camerig. Photo c. Bart Hazen

The chase on the Camerig led by CSC and Caisse d'Epargne. Photo c. Bart Hazen

Team CSC
Fränk Schleck in Top 10 Despite Crash
With about 50 kilometers to go a bad crash put an end to any dreams Fränk Schleck might have had of repeating last year's victory in the Amstel Gold Race. But the Team CSC rider not only managed to remount his bike, but also to fight his way back in the game with a 10th place as the impressive outcome.

”Fränk's crash was extremely unlucky for us, because today was the day for him. The fact that he fought his way back in the top-10 after such a bad crash speaks volumes about his form today. We'd actually taken him out of the race, but he insisted on going on. We were really handicapped at the end because of that crash and never got to take advantage of the fact that we had two strong riders there,” said Bjarne Riis.

After the race Fränk Schleck was taken to the hospital in Genk, where a thorough examination showed that the talented rider was lucky and only suffered superficial wounds.

After today's race Team CSC took over the lead in the ProTour Team rankings - five points ahead of Discovery Channel and Liquigas, who share second place.

Stefan Schumacher shortly after the win.

Lampre-Fondital didn't obtain results in Amstel Gold Race. The Dutch classic was won by Shumacher, who preceded Rebellin and Di Luca, while Italian team directed by Fabrizio Bontempi obtained the 87th place of Righi, the 91st of Baldato and the 92nd of Franzoi.
Lampre-Fondital's captain Caruso fell after half race and was forced to stop because of contusion, so Righi tried to make blu-fucsia colours shine with an attack at -50 kms: the action was then neutralized. "Caruso was our captain and his withdrawal has been a very bad thing for us - Fabrizio Bontempi commented - However our other athletes gave their best".

Piet Rooijakkers (Skil/Shimano) Amstel Gold most aggressive rider.

Bart Hazen Cyclingfx Amstel Gold Gallery