Evenepoel powered to victory over Skjelmose (Image credit: Getty Images)

Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) claimed his first victory in the Amstel Gold Race , beating defending champion Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) in a two-man sprint with ease.

As Evenepoel whooped in joy at his achievement, the Dane shook off his disappointment quickly and was all smiles as Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) rounded out the podium from a small chasing group.

Evenepoel and Skjelmose were part of a five-man move that went clear on the Kruisberg, but a crash from Kévin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenaders) took Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) down and out , leaving just Skjelmose, Evenepoel and Groupama-FDJ United's Romain Grégoire at the front.…