Tom Dumoulin wants Sunday to be the first time in his career that he plays a big role in Amstel Gold Race. But the 24-year old Dutchman doesn’t think he can win. "Based on that, I don’t think after 250 kilometers I will beat Alejandro Valverde," he says aloud in conversation with the ANP. "Let me first think about the top ten."

Dumoulin start in the Amstel Gold Race as leader of Giant-Alpecin, on the back of the victories of John Degenkolb in Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, is experiencing a dream season. "His successes help the team," agrees Dumoulin. "Maybe there is a little less pressure, but I have never felt it with us. It's not like Tinkoff where the riders got an angry email from the boss when the performances were not as expected.”

With the victory in the final time trial of the Tour of the Basque Country, Dumoulin showed last week he is already in shape. "But that does not necessarily mean that you are a week later going to win a classic. It is an art.”