Holland is known for its flat and open roads but the Amstel Gold Race – the most important race on the Dutch cycling calendar – is held in the hilly southern area of Valkenburg. The 250km race twists and turns through the countryside and includes 30 short climbs which leave the riders legs hurting and their heads spinning as they and follow the constant attacks and chases. The race often crowns emerging champions and this was definitely the case in 2006 when Frank Schleck of Luxembourg won in style. The CSC rider stormed clear in the final ten kilometres and then powered up the finalclimb out of Valkenburg to win alone. This year Schleck will be looking to defend his victory but will face stiff opposition because the Amstel Gold Race suits the big powerful riders who are successful on the flat and cobbles, and also the climbers who are getting close to their best shape for the hilly Ardennes classics a few days later. The Dutch Rabobank team and especially their star rider Michael Boogerd always focus on the Amstel Gold Race and other Rabobank riders such as Oscar Freire and Thomas Dekker will be determined to win. They will face serious competition from world champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step), fellow Italian Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) and 2006 individual UCI ProTour winner Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne).
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