Thomas Voeckler not favourite for the Amstel Gold Race 2012
Thomas Voeckler started his 2012 season rather slowly and waited for a long time before tasting his first victory of the new season. The cyclist registered his first season’s win at the Brabantse Pijl on April 11, 2012.
He finished the 194.9 kilometre race in the fastest time of 4 hours, 49 minutes and 7 seconds to grab the top podium spot.
Oscar Freire Gomez of Team Katusha fell 1 minute, and 11 seconds short and occupied the second position.
Pieter Serry, Fabio Andres Duarte Arevalo and Greg Van Avermaet claimed the third, fourth and fifth positions in the respective order.
The victory has certainly boosted his confidence for the coming events of the season but the cyclist sees it differently.
While most believes Thomas as a favourite for the Amstel Gold Race, the French believes otherwise.
He briefed during an interview on the team’s website, “I was tenth in Liege-Bastogne-Liege one time and I have never made the top-ten in Amstel. I am not one who sets specific goals”.
Thomas marked his professional debut with Team Europcar in 2001 and has shown faith with the French side.
He is continuing his 12th consecutive season with the team and is optimistic to help the side during the current season.
Voeckler rode brilliantly in the past season and secured overall victories at the Tour du Haut Var and the Four Days of Dunkirk 2011.
He bagged stages at the Four Days of Dunkirk, Tour Mediterraneen, Giro del Trentino and the Paris-Nice 2011.
Thomas has not won the Dutch race in his life and he is determined to claim the honours during the coming edition of the race.
He cited, “It is clear that I have won races like the Grand Prix Plouay or Quebec, but they can't possibly be compared with Amstel and the Doyenne. That is not the same class”.
"It is like two years ago. Apart from Gent-Wevelgem, it was a great campaign. 'Turgech' (Sebastien Turgot, ed.) was huge in Roubaix".
“And there were still six riders in the main peloton 60km before the finish,” he concluded.
Amstel Gold Race is the 11th biggest race of the season and winner of the race will be awarded with 80 UCI points, the second and the third position holders will receive 60 and 50 points each.
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