Belgium's Philippe Gilbert won the Amstel Gold race in Maastrict this afternoon.
A 190 strong field set off towards the Belgian and German borders with four man group of Albert Timmer (Skil-Shimano), Thomas Degand (Veranda's Willems-Accent, Simone Ponzi (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Pier Paolo De Negri (Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli) getting twelve minutes clear.
With 35kms to go, the break was all over and Astana and Katusha just before there was a crash at the back of the peleton caused by too many riders on a cramped road. Neuts hit a traffic island and was sent crashing.
On the country roads, Jonny Hoogerlands shot away before Frank Schleck and Fabian Cancellera crashed.
Andy Schleck lead a group of the favourities which included Phillipe Gilbert, Joaquin Rodriquez, three Rabobank riders in Robert Gesink, Oscar Freire and Luis Leon Sanchez. Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Simon Gerrans (Team Sky) and Hoogerlands.
On the final Cauberg hill, Schleck was caught by Omega Pharma Lotto's Phillippe Gilbert who had enough in the tank to get first over the line and take the 16,000 euros first prize ahead of Joaquin Rodriquez and Simon Gerrans.
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Team Sky's Ben Swift won the final stage of the five-day Tour of Castilla y León after a bunch sprint, beating Francisco Ventoso of Movistar.
Xavier Tondo won the overall classification.
On Wednesday, there will be a strong field for the Flech Wallonne in the Adrennes Classics and on next Sunday when the Liege-Bastogne-Liege is held.
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