Despite not obtaining a top result in the Amstel Gold Race, the German Milram team was quite happy with the day in the sunny Netherlands. Fabian Wegmann had a good comeback, returning from his collarbone injury quicker than initially predicted. Wegmann’s performance leaves him hope that he can do well in Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but also in the traditional May 1 race in Frankfurt, Germany. The team was also happy that Peter Wrolich spent around 200 kilometers in the front group of seven.
Wegmann finished the long, hilly classic in 25th place, 2’02 behind winner Philippe Gilbert. “In the last few kilometers I could tell that I hadn’t raced in a while, and had cramps. The stress in such a race over nearly 260 kilometers of course is very high, that is the extreme difference to training.”
Wegmann was the best-placed rider in the team. “I am satisfied with my performance. I was in the front group for a long time, I didn’t have any pain and I think that I will continue to improve from race to race.”
Wegmann rode together with Johannes Fröhlinger and Christian Knees in the group of favorites for a long time and reached the finish line with the first chase group.
Wrolich was the only rider of the team affected by travel problems due to the Icelandic volcano. He spent 16 hours in a train from Klagenfurt, Austria, to Bonn, Germany. In the former German capital he was picked up by a Milram staff member in a team car and brought to the team’s hotel near Maastricht, Netherlands.
Wrolich obviously needed to stretch his legs after the long train ride, so took off with the early break. “The day’s breakaway group got together after only seven kilometers. I had good legs from the start and could join the six leaders. I noticed the effects of my unconventional trip here near the end of the race, when my strength left me earlier than planned.” The lead group was not caught until 50 kilometers from the line.
Sports director Christian Henn had mixed feelings at the end of the day. “We set accents over the entire race day today. With Peter Wrolich, we were in the escape group of the day and presented ourselves well. The finale was disappointing for us, we had hoped for more.“