Amstel Gold Race – Benoît Cosnefroy: “I hope it will continue…”

False joy for AG2R Citroën and its leader, Benoit Cosnefroywho thought they had won theAmstel Gold Race version 2022. The photo finish is however intractable, it is the Pole Michal Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers) who is ahead of the French on the line. The two men isolated themselves about twenty kilometers from the finish and worked together until the final to play for victory. Happy with this podium, Benoit Cosnefroywho spoke shortly after the finish, can now focus on the other Ardennes classics, including Liege-Bastogne-Liege (April 24).

Video – Benoît Cosnefroy: “All that is taken is taken”

“Kwiatkowski passed his relays, but a little inside”

“It’s a beautiful podium”comments the Frenchman. “I am someone who puts things into perspective quickly, so I am happy with this second place, even if I would have preferred to win against Michal Kwiatkowski in the sprint. Today (Sunday), he was faster than me, it was played out, I’m a gut away from winning the Amstel, but we can be collectively proud of this podium, and personally I’m happy to climb on the box. It’s a pleasure to be up front, and that was the goal, I felt good, and I think I was among the strongest in the race. In the final, against Kwiatkowki, it’s true that I’m the one who participates the most, I did a lot of the work. Passed the relays to him, but a little inside, he had the Tom Pidcock card behind while my card was to sprint in front of him.

“There are three Ardennes races left and the momentum is on”

“If I’m not happy to be second in the Amstel… We lose a lot in cycling, I certainly lost today (Sunday), but having as much fun on an Amstel, with this race scenario , with my physical form… If I start crying with a podium with the Amstel, as much as I stop cycling. I was enormously happy when I was announced the winner, but I have to put things into perspective , and I think it’s a strength that I have to put into perspective quite quickly […] There are three Ardennes races left and the momentum is on, I hope it will continue like this. After all that is taken is taken and I am happy with this 2nd place today”concludes Benoit Cosnefroy.


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