Amstel Gold Race 2008

By Protournews

Amstel Gold Race, the Dutch one-day classic followed a twisty 257.4 km course through the Limberg hills, with the start in Maastricht and the finish in Valkenberg at the summit of the legendary Cauberg climb.

The Amstel Gold Race marks the first of the 'Ardennes Trilogy', a total of three classic races in the Dutch-Belgian hills will be held within one week followed on Wednesday by the Flèche Wallonne (April 23) with its feared final climb on the 'Muur van Hoy' and the Classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday (April 27).

Cunego outsprints Schleck - Pic fotoreporter sirotti

Shleck, Cumego and Valverde - Pic fotoreporter sirotti

The race saw a number of moves until the real selection began on the 28th of 31 climbs when Kim Kirchen (High Road) jumped away, he was joined by Johan Van Summeren (Silence Lotto) and the chase of these two split the race. At the front were many of the race favourites apart from Oscar Friere and his Rabobank team tried in vain to bridge the gap.

The leaders surged ahead of the peloton 12km from the line to swallow up Russia's Sergei Ivanov and Christian Pfannberger who had made a break shortly before.

The lead group hit the Cauberg climb and the finish, with Joaquin Rodriguez working for his Caisse d'Epargne team leader, AlejandroValverde.

It was Frank Schelck (Team CSC) who went to the front and only Damaino Cungeo (Lampre) could follow his wheel. Near the end, and thankfully avoiding being misdirected off course, Cungeo went ahead to win 100 metres to the flag.

1. Damiano Cunego (ITA/LAM) 6hr 35min 29sec,
2. Frank Schleck (LUX/CSC) at s.t.,
3. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) 2,
4. Davide Rebellin (ITA/GST) 2,
5. Thomas Dekker (NED/RAB) 6,
6. Christian Pfannberger (AUT/BAR) 14,
7. Serguei Ivanov (RUS/AST) 18,
8. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/GCE) 23,
9. Karsten Kroon (NED/CSC) 27,
10. Jerome Pineau (FRA/BTL) 45,
11. Fabian Wegmann (SUI/GST) 45,
12. Simon Gerrans (AUS/C.A) 45,
13. Rinaldo Nocentini (ITA/A2R) 45,
14. Benoit Vaugrenard (FRA/FDJ) 51,
15. Stefan Schumacher (GER/GST) 51,
16. Kjell Carlstrom (FIN/LIQ) 51,
17. Johan Vansummeren (BEL/SIL) 56,
18. Martin Elmiger (SUI/A2R) 56,
19. Oscar Freire (ESP/RAB) 56,
20. Kim Kirchen (LUX/THR) 1:00

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