Kasper Asgreen on Amstel Gold: "I would like to return here one day and fight for the win"

After a difficult time in the cobbled classics where he had the form but Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team lacked the collective power, Kasper Asgreen has tried this weekend to target the win too in Amstel Gold Race where he put on a strong performance, but didn't manage to come along with the hoped result.

“We would have liked to fight for the victory, but it was difficult. On the other hand, things went much better for us than last week, so that’s quite encouraging. I discovered a beautiful race and as things progressed, I was surprised by how I rode on the hills," Asgreen said after the finish. With good form and a very long race ahead, it was no surprise to see the Dane in the leading group when the peloton was blown up by INEOS.

His best bet was on a late attack, preferentially solo as the group includes strong sprinters. Asgreen tried several times but each of his attacks was covered, whilst the moves of Michal Kwiatkowski and Benoît Cosnefroy weren't and the duo went on to fight for the win. Asgreen ended up sprinting to sixth place.

"I thought I would be struggling more on the climbs, but I managed them well and paced myself without going over the limit. Overall, it was a nice experience and I would like to return here one day and fight for the win," he concluded.

Asgreen's last goal of the season comes in next Sunday's Paris-Roubaix where he will be among the favourites for the race win.