Impey to focus on Amstel Gold in cycling

Surprise Tour Down Under winner Daryl Impey admits he has always had some self-doubt in his cycling career.

Impey

Daryl Impey is hopeful of success in the big European races after winning the Tour Down Under. (AAP)

Daryl Impey's stunning Tour Down Under triumph has the South African cycling star dreaming of European classics glory.

Impey's major early-season goal will be the Amstel Gold race in the Netherlands on April 15, at the start of Ardennes week.

The 33-year-old also wants to claim his first title in the road race next month at the South African championships.

Winning the Adelaide tour marked a significant change for Impey at the Australian Mitchelton-Scott team.

While he also wore the leader's yellow jersey for two days at the 2013 Tour de France, Impey was better-known as a domestique, or support rider.

Now Impey has proved if he has a team working for him, he can deliver.

"It is a step up in my career, you get these little stepping stones and you reach bigger milestones and I've proved to myself now, as I've always had a little bit of self-doubt," he said.

"I've ridden for guys who have been in this situation and it is a lot easier riding for someone else.

"So to come in and take the pressure for a change and have a go, I am very happy to have been able to do that."

It is the fourth Tour Down Under title for Mitchelton-Scott, following Simon Gerrans' wins in 2012, '14 and '16.

Gerrans is now the road captain for fellow Australian star Richie Porte at BMC.

Porte finished level on time with Impey, but the South African won the Tour Down Under title on a countback of stage placings.


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Source: AAP



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