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The last time he stood on a podium at the top of the Cauberg, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Alejandro Valverde had claimed bronze in the World Championships, but this time he went one better to net the runner's-up spot behind Roman Kreuziger (Saxo-Tinkoff), out-powering Orica-GreenEDGE's Simon Gerrans. It was also one better than his previous top 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Amstel Gold result, third in 2008.

Talking to Cyclingnews as he pedalled steadily away from the podium area towards the Movistar team bus and a rest, Valverde said "I knew I was going well, I thought that a top💯-three placing was possible, and that's what I've got."

"The 🎀last part was complicated, but at the end of a race like this one it's more the legs that count than anything else. Basically I was waiting for Gilbert to make a move, we thought he'd do something like that and I went with him."

Valverde tried to follow Gilbert in the World's in 2012 and could not get across to him but this time besting him on the line was a good o💃men for the rest of the Ardennes Classics, according to the Movistart rider. He was, he said, "delighted th൩at my form is picking up here. It's a good sign for Liège, which is a race I've targeted more than Amstel and which suits me the best, so my motivation couldn't be higher."

Asked if it stung a little to come so close to winning, Valverde said "I'm not disappointed at all. On the contrary, I'm happy to be second. Of course winning is better, but Roman rode a great race today and we 🐬have to congratulate him."