Philippe Gilbert, who started Amstel Gold as BMC Racing Team’s leader, didn’t have his best race following surgery on a fractured finger one week ago.
The Belgian had suffered the fractured finger after an altercation whilst out training the previous week. Despite the injury though, Gilbert who has won the race three times previously, had been hopeful of a good result at the Dutch classic.
He had been back on his bike in the days previous to Amstel including a long training ride on Wednesday. However, he struggled on the day and finished in 81st place, 4’32” behind the winner.
Enrico Gasparotto (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) launched a late attack to take the win, with Michael Valgren (Tinkoff) and Sonny Cobrelli (Bardiani-CSF) rounding out the podium.
“It was quite a controlled race and then it really accelerated in the final 50 or 60 kilometres,” said Gilbert afterwards. “There were a lot of riders dropped as the race really started to heat up. In the end it wasn’t my day today, but I’ll be back for La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege so I hope to be better there.”
