Wanty-Groupe Gobert reduced, but confident ahead of Amstel Gold Race

On Sunday Wanty-Groupe Gobert will head to the start of Dutch classic Amstel Gold Race (1.WT, 15/04). A race where Wanty-Groupe Gobert always appears at the start with a warm feeling. Two years ago our procontinental team was able to take a surprise WorldTour win with Enrico Gasparotto. This year sports director Hilaire Van der Schueren calls on Andrea Pasqualon, who on Wednesday finished 6th in Brabantse Pijl. Further also Dion Smith, Jérôme Baugnies, Simone Antonini, Marco Minnaard, Tom Devriendt and Mark McNally will be at the start.

Hilaire Van der Schueren:

"Of course I return to Amstel Gold Race with a good feeling. It is a big classic that we could win as a procontinental team. But I had hoped to replace Enrico Gasparotto in the final with our new Norwegian rider Odd Christian Eiking. Unfortunately we can not count on Odd on Sunday because he is struggling with a virus."

"Nevertheless, I head to the start in Maastricht with confidence. I saw a strong team performance in Flèche Brabançonne, where we gave colour to the race. The better weather conditions are also in our favor. I expect a strong performance of our Italian Andrea Pasqualon on Sunday, who finished sixth on Wednesday just behind Colbrelli and Benoot, and before someone as Dylan Teuns. "

"For the early breakaway I count on boys like Mark McNally and Tom Devriendt. Also home rider Marco Minnaard is in good shape and should be able to show something. Although of course we have to see how our riders cope with the distance of 260 kilometers. "

"In Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège we can count on our man in form Guillaume Martin, supplemented by a good Xandro Meurisse and hopefully by then a recovered Odd Eiking."