Alex Howes to replace Sep Vanmarcke at the Amstel Gold Race 2012
Sep Vanmarcke injured his knee during a crash in GP de Denain and is now sidelined for the 11th World Tour race of the season, Amstel Gold Race.
The news was confirmed by Allan Peiper, Cyclingnews quoted him as saying, "Sep crashed in Denain in the second last lap and landed on his knee".
"He made it back to the peloton but he will need some days off to recover and we want him to focus on that. We have added Alex Howes to the roster, who finished a fine 6th in the Brabantse Pijl yesterday".
"We still have a strong team for Amstel with Dan Martin and Ryder Hesjedal along with Johan Vansummeren coming off a strong ride in Paris-Roubaix, Fabian Wegmann and the Dutch riders Thomas Dekker and the Kreder brothers," Peiper concluded.
The 23-year-old joined Team Garmin-Cervelo in 2011 after marking his professional debut with Team Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator in 2010.
He helped the American team with the fourth place finish at the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke 2011.
Sep was looking good in the current season and secured his first victory at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2012.
He faced stiff competition and had to overcome the in-form Tom Boonen and Juan Antonio Flecha to climb the top podium spot at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
He claimed the 5th overall spot at the E3 Harelbeke 2012 and was targeting the Amstel Gold Race as the next big goal of his 2012 season.
Vanmarcke will now be replaced by Alex Howes to complete Team Gamin’s roster for the coming event. Howes is known for his climbing and sprinting abilities and will be a perfect replacement for Sep.
He claimed the 4th overall spot during the Tour of the Gila 2011and is optimistic to secure his first win of the 2012 season at the Amstel Gold Race.
The 47th edition of one-day race is scheduled on April 15, and winner of the race will be awarded with 80 UCI points.
The second and the third position holders will achieve 60 and 50 points for successful finishes at the race.
Philippe Gilbert succeeded during the 2011 version of the race and the Belgian is eager to find form by claiming his second consecutive victory at the Amstel Gold Race.
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