Di Luca outfoxes the orange train to win Amstel Gold

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2005

VALKENBURG, The Netherlands (AFP) — Italy's Danilo Di Luca of the Liquigas team held off the orange-clad riders of Rabobank to win the Amstel Gold Race, the only Dutch one-day classic in the 27-leg Pro Tour series.

Fresh from victory at the Tour of the Basque country last week, Di Luca claimed his first victory here having come third and fourth in previous years after outfoxing Michael Boogerd in a sprint for the finish at the summit of the Cauberg climb.

Rabobank's Boogerd was left frustrated again, the Dutchman picking up his third consecutive runner-up place and fourth overall, having last won the race in 1999.

In third place was Mirko Celestino, of the Domina Vacanze team, who finished ahead of last year's winner Davide Rebellin of Italy, and Spaniard...