Frank Schleck disappointed after the Amstel Gold Race 2012
Frank Schleck of Team RadioShack-Nissan-Trek was eyeing the Amstel Gold Race to start his 2012 winning campaign. The cyclist rode brilliantly in the past season but has not bagged any wins in the season yet.
He registered numerous victories in the 2011 season and occupied the 10th overall position on the 2011 UCI World Tour rankings.
Schleck’s best performance in the past season came during the Tour de France. He occupied the third overall spot at the event and finished behind his brother Andy.
Schleck was positive about the Amstel Gold Race and was eyeing it as his first big goal of the current season.
He noted before the race, "I had a bad position going into the Eysenbosweg but there was really no attack there. So it ended up being a big group at the end. I felt good, my legs were in good shape".
"In the sprint I had a little cramp so I didn't have the punch I needed but it was good for my confidence and I think I was one of the strongest riders today".
"I am looking forward to next week. Joost and Laurent worked so hard. Whatever Laurent had for breakfast, I want to have the same for the next races".
Despite his endless efforts, Frank only managed to secure the 12th overall spot at the race. He came close to victory but fell 4 seconds short of the race leader Enrico Gasparotto of Team Astana.
Enrico claimed the top spot at the race and registered the biggest win of his career. He finished the 260. 4 kilometre race in the fastest time of 6 hours, 32 minutes and 35 seconds to grab the top position.
Jelle Vanendert of Team Lotto Belisol occupied the second position, with Peter Sagan of Team Liquigas-Cannondale finishing 2 seconds behind, at the third position.
Oscar Freire Gomez, Thomas Voeckler and Philippe Gilbert achieved the fourth, fifth and sixth positions in the respective order.
The 32-year-old is now eyeing the other two races of the Ardennes Classics, La Fleche Wallonne and the Liege-Bastogne scheduled in the later part of the season.
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