Michael Valgren wins the Amstel Gold Race ©Getty Images

Michael Valgren earned the biggest victory of his career today in the 2018 Amstel Gold Race.

The Dane, riding for Astana, won this 263 kilometres one-day International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour event starting in Maastricht and finishing in Berg en Terblijt after beating Mitchelton-Scott’s Roman Kreuziger, winner in 2013, in a sprint to the line.

Valgren, who finished second at the 2016 Amstel Gold Race, made the key move of the race with just over two kilometres remaining, breaking clear of a select eight-man leading group before finishing in 6hr 34min 24sec.

The group included the likes of Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde, Bora-Hansgrohe’s recent Paris-Roubaix winner Peter Sagan, Julian Alaphilippe of Quick-Step, Tim Wellens  of Lotto-Soudal and his team-mate Jakob Fuglsang.

Denmark's Michael Valgren, centre, on the podium along with second-placed Czech Republic's Roman Kreuziger, left, and third-placed Italy's Enrico Gasparotto pose on the podium after the Amstel Gold Race ©Getty Images
Denmark's Michael Valgren, centre, on the podium along with second-placed Czech Republic's Roman Kreuziger, left, and third-placed Italy's Enrico Gasparotto pose on the podium after the Amstel Gold Race ©Getty Images

The Czech rider was the first to jump over to join him, while two-time Amstel winner Enrico Gasparotto, riding for Bahrain-Merida, delayed before making pursuit in the final 1.5km

Kreuziger and Valgren entered the final 800 metres with a significant gap to group behind, and prepared to battle it out in a sprint with Gasparotto looming just behind.

Valgren was then able to launch his sprint with his Czech rival unable to respond, allowing the Astana man to celebrate over the line as he took victory.

It was Valgren’s second major Classic win of the season, having taken victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in February.