 Cancellara was not considered to be a favorite for the Amstel Gold Race , though he was part of the strong squad that the Leopard Trek team brought to the race . Sporting director Kim Andersen stated the race was more of a goal for one of the Schleck brothers . Cancellara commented that he felt " free as a bird " in the Amstel , riding it for the first time since 2004 , and that he was not under pressure to get a result . He identified Philippe Gilbert as the main favorite for the race , and promised not to ride against him as he felt his rivals had done to him in the cobbled classics . The race took place two days after Fränk Schleck 's 30th birthday , further intensifying it as a goal for him . Cancellara and both Schleck brothers effectively stayed at the front of the race most of the day , but Cancellara and Fränk Schleck lost contact after crashing on the Gulperberg 28 km ( 17 mi ) from the finish . This left Andy Schleck alone to fend for victory , and his tactic was a solo attack launched from 12 km ( 7 @.@ 5 mi ) out , on the Keutenberg . The tactic was nearly successful , as the younger Schleck brother occupied first position on the road with only 500 m ( 1 @,@ 600 ft ) left to race , but a chase pack led by Gilbert overhauled him at that point . Visibly spent from his solo effort , Schleck had nothing left for the finale and finished 11th , 28 seconds down on race winner Gilbert . He stated after the race that he was satisfied with his effort , feeling that going for the win from so far out was his only play for victory without any teammates in the front group . He may have finished a few positions higher if he had stayed with the Gilbert group , but he almost certainly would have had no chance for victory against the fast finisher Gilbert ; thus , the solo attack was the correct move in his eyes , since his only ambition was victory . 
