Amstel Gold Race announces first four wildcards

On Monday, organizers of the Amstel Gold Race announced the first four wildcard teams invited to the race’s 49th edition.

The April 20 event will feature the pro continental teams Androni-Giocatolli, IAM Cycling, CCC Polsat and Topsport Vlaanderen.

Johnny Hoogerland, the 2013 Dutch champion, will be returning home to the Netherlands with Androni-Giocatolli. Hoogerland’s teammate and compatriot Kenny van Hummel will also be riding.

The 2004 Amstel Gold Race champion, Italian Davide Rebellin, will be returning with Polish team CCC Polsat.

Last year, six pro continental teams were given wildcard invites to participate alongside 19 WorldTour teams, making a total of 25 teams. All 18 of the 2014 WorldTour teams will take part in the event. More wildcards are expected to be announced before the event to round out this year’s field.

Roman Kreuziger of team Tinkoff-Saxo won the 2013 edition of the race. He will be returning to defend his title.

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal finished in second place in 2010. Last year, despite a big effort late in the race to bridge to the case group, Hesjedal finished 26th.

The race covers 251 km and 33 climbs for a total 4,000 m of ascent.