Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Cycling Pro: Places of honor for Vacansoleil-DCM

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Sunday, 17 April 2011 21:57

Written by Luca Salvatelli

In the final of the Amstel Gold Race the team of Vacansoleil-DCM was represented by two riders: Björn Leukemans and Johnny Hoogerland. Hoogerland opened the final with an attack on the Gulperberg. A little bit further, on the Eyserbosweg, a leading group was created with almost all of the favorites for this 2011 edition of the Gold Race.

"The team was very strong today", said Leukemans. "At the end Johnny did a great job for me. On the Cauberg, finally, it is a battle from man to man for the victory. After 260 KM everybody has suffered. The Cauberg does not lie", said Leukemans after his 7th place.

Hoogerland looked back to a twelfth place in a creditable race in the south of Limburg. "I'm doing well," he concluded. "When thirteen men drove away, I could just pick on my wagon. With 'Leuki' there, we were in two. Then you have to make choices as a team. I have chosen to work for Leukemans. I think we did well. Unfortunately the result is not a place on the podium, but the prospects for Liege-Bastogne-Liège are good."

Many eyes were focused on Wout Poels as well, the talent of Vacansoleil-DCM. The guy from the north of Limburg arrived six minutes later than the winner at the finish line (82nd). "It went very well," said Poels after the race. "I was constantly at the front thirty or forty riders. Just before the Eyserbosweg I had to let the first group go. I would rather be involved in the final, but before I must gain some more hardness, I think. Wednesday is the Flèche Wallonne and that is a lot shorter. I hope to show something beautiful then."

Marco Marcato ended the Amstel Gold Race as 26th. "I had a difficult moment at the Eyserbosweg", he told. "With some other riders I almost closed the gap to the main group with the favorites. We only missed them by a couple of meters unfortunately.”

The Italian rider was earlier in the race helped by teammate Rob Ruijgh with his wheel. However the neutral support car has passed the Limburger without assisting him. The jury then found that Ruijgh did get too much support from the Vacansoleil/DCM team car and disqualified him. "Normally it is tolerated when you accept some support after a puncture. I think this decision is really ridiculous."