Eurosport
Michael Valgren (Astana) beat Roman Kreuziger (Mitchelton-Scott) to the line to claim the Amstel Gold Race 2018. The 26-year-old Dane made a decisive move 2km from home, breaking clear of the eight-man leading group.
Kreuziger and Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain-Merida) joined the Astana rider up the road, and while 2013 winner Kreuziger lurked on Valgren’s wheel, the Dane launched a sprint that neither rider could match.
“It was a hard start and then the breakaway got a really big gap, but we had Laurens de Vreese in the front to close this gap, he did a great job,” said Valgren.
“The other riders kept me out of trouble, it was perfect teamwork during the whole day.”
“In the final Jakob Fuglsang worked hard for me, he made all the other riders tired and after that I could attack and I’m happy that I could finish it like this.”
AMSTEL GOLD RACE 2018 RESULT
1 Michael Valgren (Den) Astana Pro Team, in 6hr40min07
2 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Mitchelton-Scott, ST
3 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Bahrain-Merida, at 2s
4 Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 19s
5 Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar Team
6 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal
7 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors, all same time
8 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team, at 23s
9 Lawson Craddock (USA) EF Education First-Drapac, at 30s
10 Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Lotto Soudal, at 36s
