Valkenburg: French rider Beno®t Cosnefroy of UAE Team Emirates-XRG secured a podium finish by claiming third place at the Amstel Gold Race, part of the renowned Ardennes classics campaign. The race, which spanned 257km from Maastricht to Valkenburg and featured 33 climbs across the Limburg hills, was fiercely contested, with early breakaways and a relentless pace characterizing the event.
According to Emirates News Agency, the race intensified in the final 70 kilometers with climbs such as the Loorberg, Gulperberg, and Kruisberg. A select group of favorites, including Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull Bora hansgrohe) and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl Trek), managed to break away from the peloton. The critical move occurred on the Keutenberg and subsequent climbs, where Evenepoel and Skjelmose distanced themselves from their rivals to contest the victory between them.
Cosnefroy, vigilant in the chasing group, found limited support but remained strategic and patient. He maintained his position as the race fragmented, particularly during the penultimate ascent of the Cauberg, which helped establish the race's final standings.
In the concluding moments in Valkenburg, Evenepoel outpaced Skjelmose to secure victory. Cosnefroy, showcasing tactical acumen, timed his sprint from the reduced group to clinch third place, finishing just under two minutes behind the leaders. The Ardennes classics will continue on Wednesday with the Fleche-Wallonne race.