Almost out of classics season now. Sunday saw Enrico Gasparotto of Astana beat Phillipe Gilbert, Andy Schelck et al to win the Amstel Gold race. Enjoyed this one and nice to see an outsider win a classic.

Yesterday saw part two of the Ardennes classics week, the Fleche Wallonne being won by two time runner up, Joaquim Rodríguez of Italian based Russian squad Katusha. The climb (sprint more like)up the Mur De Huy looked agonising. Gilbert again not showing as you would have expected. Rodriguez getting the jump on him and Michael Albasini.

Also this week is the Giro del Trentino. Today sees the peloton climb the Punta Veleno (means Poisonous Sting). It has never been climbed in a professional race and has an average gradient of 15%, peaking at 20%. Being compared to Monte Zoncolan, it looks an absolute beast. Damiano Cunego of Lampre won yesterdays stage and Mathias Frank of BMC is the GC leader.

In the run up to the start of the Giro D'Italia, Sunday sees the start of the Tour of Turkey and Tuesday is the start of the Tour of Romandie. Warm up races abound.

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