Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) brought the 2012 European road season to its usual unofficial close with victory in the Amstel Curacao Race on the Netherlands Antilles Island of Curacao. The Netherlands champion outsprinted Curacao champion Marc de Maar (UnitedHealthcare) at the end of the 80km race, with Belgian Thomas de Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) third.
The non-UCI sanctioned race - organised by Dutch cycling federation coach Leo van Vliet, who also runs April’s Amstel Gold Race - comes at the end of a week of festivities on the island for many of the peloton’s big names, an sees Classics riders and sprinters come up against Grand Tour champions. As usual, the 2012 field included several women, including World and Olympic champion Marianne Vos (Rabobank).
More details to follow
Result 2012 Amstel Curacao Race
1. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
2. Marc de Maar (AHo) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
3. Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM