Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) was one of only two riders able to join Philippe Gilbert's acceleration on the Cauberg in yesterday's Amstel Gold Race. In the end he took his second 3rd place in the race and even though he had hoped for more, he was satisfied with the outcome of the day.

Simon Gerrans has once again made the Ardennes classics his major season target and with stage victories in both the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and Volta a Catalunya he had proved that he was right on track to be one of the key protagonists in his favourite races. Hence, it was no surprise to see the Australian named as a key outsider for yesterday's Amstel Gold Race.

The Australian proved that his early-season results was no fluke as he matched his 2011 result in the Dutch classic with another 3rd place. Had it not been for the successful escape from Roman Kreuziger, he would have sprinted for the win.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on his dream result, the Australian was satisfied.

“I’m satisfied with the result,” Gerrans said. “Everybody did their jobs perfectly. When you do what you plan to do and it doesn’t eventuate into the hoped for result, you still have to be happy. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t racing for the win at the end, but a podium finish in a big race like Amstel Gold is still satisfying.”

Gerrans was just meters away from cresting the top of the Cauberg climb with world champion Philippe Gilbert who had put in a furious acceleration on the steep slopes. With Alejandro Valverde in his wheel, he was, however, forced to let the world champion go but a strong move by the Spaniard made him return to the BMC captain and a strong trio was caught.

“It was full gas up the Cauberg,” he said. “Simon (Clarke, ed.) and Daryl (Impey, ed.) put me in the perfect position. I was third or fourth wheel at the base of the Cauberg. Right as I was about to make my move, Gilbert got past me. We powered past everyone from Pieter’s (teammate Pieter Weening, ed.) break except for Kreuziger. Gilbert gapped me over the top. I had Valverde on my wheel, and he came around me on the summit and dropped me. I caught him, and together, we caught Gilbert. Then, it was a sprint for second.”

The team made a very impressive display of strength and at the bottom of the final climb, Gerrans was still surrounded by Clarke, Impey and Michael Albasini. Furthermore, teammate Weening was part of a strong group which chased the lone Kreuziger.

Gerrans praised his team's efforts.

“With Pieter up the road, we could just sit back and follow counter attacks,” he said. “That was Alba’s (Albasini’s, ed.) job. He followed moves, and we saved our energy for the final. The result today was thanks to the team’s hard work. We did everything we could.”

Weening took another top 10 result for the team as he managed to sprint to an 8th place finish after having been on the move most of the day.