Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will take part in Amstel Gold Race — the first race of the Ardennes Classics — on Sunday, April 14th. In 2012, Dries Devenyns was the top OPQS finisher in 14th place. The 48th edition of the race includes 33 climbs in 251.8km. The parcour also includes three circuits around Valkenberg. There are two small changes for the race in 2013: The finale is in the same place as the UCI Road World Championships, 1.8km from the legendary Cauberg in Valkenberg. Also, the finishing circuit now includes the Geulhemmerberg climb on the way to Maastricht, then the Bemelerberg before the final. More climbing means extra difficulty, and an increased possibility of a select group deciding the race.
Michal Kwiatkowski
"After the Ronde I was at home in Poland for four days and then on Friday I flew to Granada where I joined my teammates who are training there. I had few days of good training and I was surprised about the fact that I'm still OK after a long period of races as it was the one I had during the classics. Honestly I don't know what I can expect from this race. I'm OK but during the race a lot of things can happen."
"I did last year Amstel, Fleche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, but I couldn't finish any race there. But I'm happy I did it — the team was right last year to send me here so now I know the roads that in a race like Amstel are really important."
Gianni Meersman
"In the last two weeks I trained very well in Calpe. The problem is that I didn't ride Pais Vasco due to stomach problems, so I've not been racing for about the last three weeks. This is an exigent race, you have to be always in the front. You cannot sleep on these kind of roads. In the Worlds last year I was also in the breakaway and than in the circuit I rode in the front for the National Team, so I really have good memories. The fact that the finish is the same of the Worlds can help the riders with my skills. If I have the legs in the final I can do better than in the previous finish at the top of the Cauberg."
Niki Terpstra
"After Roubaix I took four days off without really training, even because of the bad weather. I'm not completely recovered from last Sunday, but I love this race and I will try to do my best. It's my home race and I have some extra motivation. The weather will be good and there will be big crowds on the roads. The last part of the race is almost the same as the Worlds. I like this final, it gives opportunities for more riders to win. On the top of the Cauberg only three riders can win, but now you can try and play tactically ... attack before, or wait for the bunch sprint. I think a rider in good condition can win even if he's not among the favorites. I will start without pressure trying to do my best as usual. If I don't have a good day I will put, for sure, my experience on this circuit to the service of the team."
Peter Velits
"At Pais Vasco I was pretty good. I was second in a stage and present in a long breakaway. Only one day I was struggling, but for the rest it was good. Pais Vasco gave me a few good signals for the upcoming races, even if a one day race is different from a short stage race. But I'm motivated. On these roads we became World Champions last year with the team. Today during the training on the Cauberg I was thinking about it. I hope it's going to be a good race for the team. Here we can play with more cards and we will try to go with some results."