Attila Valter leads Jumbo-Visma at Amstel Gold Race: "All my expectations I had for this season have been exceeded"

Attila Valter has so far this spring been working for his leaders but he now finds a big goal in Amstel Gold Race, and the Ardennes classics, where he will have a leading position within a very motivated Jumbo-Visma.

“So far, all my expectations I had for this season have been exceeded. With the help of the team, I have progressed a lot on both a physical and mental level. I have improved in all the areas we discussed last year before I joined the team," Vallter said in a press release issued by the team. "I am more consistent in my performances, which is great for the team and for me. Even if I’m not in my best shape, I can still perform well and do my job.”

He's finished fourth at Gran Camino having support Jonas Vingegaard, and then an impressive fifth spot at Strade Bianche where he co-leaded alongside Tiesj Benoot. In Amstel Gold Race the Dutch team will have the same duo in the lead, but of the three Ardennes Amstel is the one less suited to the Belgian, and Valter is the team's best option for the result.

“For the last three years, I have been concentrating on the Giro d’Italia, so the Ardennes classics have never been on my schedule," the Hungarian national champion admitted. "However, many people have told me that they would suit me well. The team is also convinced I can handle these races, and I look forward to discovering them next week.”

Alongside them will be a modest team, as one of the team's blocks now rests from an intense cobbled classics campaign and another prepares for the Giro d'Italia. Amstel Gold Race is quite an open race and Valter will be among the outsiders. “I lack experience on this course, but I can rely on a rider like Tiesj Benoot, who already has a lot of experience in these races.

"The competition is quite strong, and we have to think outside the box to compete for the prizes. Fortunately, we have proven time and time again we can do so," he concluded. The 24-year old will look to conclude his spring with a bang.

Jumbo-Visma for Amstel Gold Race: Attila Valter, Tiesj Benoot, Jos van Emden, Lennard Hofstede, Gijs Leemreize, Sam Oomen, and Tosh Van der Sande.