MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, April 22 - Germany's
Stefan Schumacher outmanoeuvred breakaway companions to register
his first major success in a one-day classic in the 252.5 km
Amstel Gold Race on Sunday.
At 25, the improving Schumacher underlined his Tour de
France credentials.
Italy's Davide Rebellin, 21 seconds adrift, was second for a
Gerolsteiner one-two. Another Italian, last year's ProTour
winner Danilo Di Luca, finished third, a further second away.
Schumacher was one of a group of seven who went clear with
20 kms left and made the decisive break two kms from the end.
A winner of the Tour of Poland, the Tour of Benelux and two
stages of the Giro d'Italia in 2006, the German told reporters:
"I was not too sure of myself today but I felt better and
better.
"Near the end, I knew I could count on the support of
Rebellin, who did a great job and made it possible for me to
move."