This Sunday Team Gian-Alpecin heads to the Dutch hills for the 51st edition of the Amstel Gold Race. The race favours the attacking riders who are both capable of sprinting and climbing, as the course is anything but flat. The constant rolling roads cover a total distance of 258km with 34 climbs to tackle, including the Cauberg, Gulpenerberg and Eyserbosweg. 

The team will be led by Warren Barguil, Tom Dumoulin and Simon Geschke who outline their goals below.

Warren Barguil (FRA)

"I am coming to Amstel Gold Race off the back of a hard week of racing in Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. Although at the end of the week the fatigue starting to kick in but it was a good preparation to get me ready for the Ardennes campaign.

"For Sunday, the parcours is tough with the short, sharp climbs but I prefer races like these and I am very motivated to do well. I am anticipating the race to be decided at the Cauberg and I'll do what I can to be there. I think a top 10 result is realistic in one of the three Ardennes races and we have got the team to achieve this." 

Tom Dumoulin (NED)

"I am really motivated to compete in my home race. I've had a good training period and I'm satisfied with my current level, as last Wednesday I felt good during the Brabantse Pijl finale.

"I expect tactically a closed race for Sunday, which has been the case in recent years. Only a select group of riders will compete for the win and normally I am not among them, I have to be realistic. I always go into a race with good expectations and a lot of ambition, and I am looking forward to Sunday."

Simon Geschke (GER)
"We did a really good training ride out on the course yesterday. It was nice to be back on these roads and it helps to remind yourself of where the difficulties are.

"I am feeling good and hope that I can be in a good position to contest the finish on Sunday. As a team, we will need to ride well and we will aim for a top 10 finish."

Coach Aike Visbeek (NED)
"The weather forecast looks optimistic for Sunday therefore, I am anticipating a traditional Amstel Gold race. The section after the Kruisberg always is an important moment in the race and we need good teamwork to position our leaders ahead of the decisive climb, the Cauberg.

"On Thursday, we performed a good recon and the riders tested their legs on the climbs according to our training plan. Our guys showed they are eager to race and are looking forward to Sunday.

"The team leaders will be Warren, Simon and home rider Tom. Together with Roy [Curvers] as our experienced road captain, our aim is to focus on positioning ahead of the crucial climbs and we will target a top 10 result."