Yvon Caër : "Amstel, the key will be the placement".
The Amstel Gold Race marks the start of a classics campaign for the ‘Ardennes’ profiles that will end with Liège-Bastogne-Liège in just over two weeks’ time.
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Pre-race
“We are coming to the Ardennes and this is my goal for the beginning of the season. I am very motivated. I already have two successes, which is a lot because I am not a rider who is used to winning often. Maybe I have also found my niche with the one-day races and these classics. The Amstel is a race that is often presented as a “mix” between the Flandriennes and the Ardennes. It is not easy, it has a lot of kilometres, it is often undecided until the finish. Indeed, we often saw scenarios where everything was decided in the final. I had a good outing this week in the Monts d’Arrée where I was able to work on the bumps, and it was important to do that before the upcoming events. The classics are also events that require a certain amount of luck, and I hope that this factor will be on my side and that of the Arkéa-Samsic team for the four upcoming races”.
The briefing
“We are starting a block of four very high level races with the Amstel Gold Race, the Flèche Brabançone, the Flèche Wallonne and finally Liège-Bastogne-Liège. They conclude the first part of Warren’s season which has been very positive so far with two wins. This weekend at the Amstel, he will be surrounded by riders who have already proven themselves and who have a good maturity.
This race doesn’t have a stereotypical pattern like the Flèche Wallonne or Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Moreover, we will find the usual course. The key to success will be placement, legs and mental strength. It’s a very tough competition nervously. Of the four classics we’re going to ride, this is perhaps the one that best suits his abilities. If Warren can live up to his start to the season, we won’t hold anything back.