Intro:

Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski won the Amstel Gold Race, a UCI World Tour one-day event, on Sunday (19th April).

Script:

Crowds were out in force as the 50th edition of the Amstel Gold Race, the 11th race in the UCI World Tour calendar got underway on Sunday.

Defending champion Philippe Gilbert, who was seeking a fourth title in the Dutch spring classic, broke away on the final climb of the Cauberg hill shortly before the finish.

He was followed by another of the pre-race favourites in Michael Matthews of Australia.

However, Michal Kwiatkowski of Poland preserved his energy well and ensured he was able to stay close to Gilbert and Matthews as they made their break.

The climb proved tough and both Gilbert and Matthews struggle to keep up as the sprint towards the finish line began.

Kwiatkowski crossed the finish line in first ahead of Spain's Alejandro Valverde, while Matthews hung on to complete the podium in third.

Gilbert was eventually forced to settle for 10th place.

Kwiatkowski paid tribute to Etixx-Quick Step teammate and time trial specialist Tony Martin for sticking with Vincenzo Nibali toward the end of the race to ensure last year's Tour de France winner could not manage a solo break.