Tom Dumoulin looks back with satisfaction on his first participation in the Amstel Gold Race since 2016. “I’ve been looking forward to this for six years.”
The Maastrichter placed 30th in the cycling classic in South Limburg.
Great course
Dumoulin was able to compete with the best in the Amstel Gold Race for a long time, but lost the connection with the front ones on the Keutenberg, 35 kilometers from the finish. The Maastricht resident tried to come back, but that didn’t work. Nevertheless, he is satisfied. “It was a great race, but not yet at the level to really color the final. That was perhaps not to be expected, I am satisfied in any case.”
Special
The Maastricht citizen was at the start for the first time in six years in the cycling classic that starts in his city. “It was super special. I’ve been looking forward to this for six years and especially after last year when I was present as a guest. It was a very special day for me.”
Tiesj Benoot
Dumoulin’s teammate, Tiesj Benoot, managed to conquer a podium place in the final phase. He finished third behind Michal Kwiatkowski and Benoît Cosnefroy who battled for the win in an exciting sprint. “Obviously we missed Wout van Aert (not fit after a corona infection, ed.) as a big man, but I think Tiesj showed the Jumbo-Visma colors from the front.”
Read also: Michal Kwiatkowski wins after photo finish Amstel Gold Race
Giro d’Italia
Dumoulin is now preparing for the Tour of Italy where he is one of the leaders of Jumbo-Visma at the start. The Maastricht resident will prepare in the coming weeks by means of an altitude internship in Tenerife. On May 6, the Giro d’Italia starts in the Hungarian capital Budapest.