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By Alasdair Fotheringham
MAASTRICHT, Holland, April 15 (Reuters) – A last ditch
sprint earned Italy’s Enrico Gasparotto a narrow victory in the
Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, his biggest win in seven years.
The Astana rider edged ahead of Belgium’s Jelle Vanendert,
who crossed the line pounding his handlebars in frustration at
his near-miss, and Slovakian Peter Sagan.
The leading trio had eased clear of a 60-strong front pack
on the Cauberg, the last of the 256.5 kilometre race’s 31 short,
punchy climbs in the hills of southern Netherlands.
Sagan’s first acceleration for the line looked promising but
Gasparotto, 30, had just enough fuel in the tank to launch a
counter-charge and claim his first ever major Classic.
“Two years ago I was third here and I’ve learned from my
mistakes that day,” Gasparotto told reporters.
“Back then I tried too hard, too soon on the Cauberg, this
time I waited right until the last minute.
“It’s my most important win since I took the Italian
National Championships back in 2005.”
Gasparotto said he had been able to take advantage of his
better-known rivals’ errors.
“(Double winner) Philippe Gilbert started his sprint very
early because he wanted to close the gap on Oscar Freire,”
Gasparotto pointed out.
“Sagan was strong, but he faded in the last few metres.”
Among the numerous favourites having an off-day was last
year’s Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans of Australia, who
pulled out mid-race.
(Editing by Mark Meadows)
