Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (left) and Tour runner-up Andy Schleck enjoy the company of dolphins while in Curaçao for the Amstel Curaçao Race. (Image credit: Leon van Vliet)
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Ellen Van Dijk shares a joke with Marcel Kittel in Curacao. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Alberto Contador turns his hand to volleyball (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador and Toom Boonen watch on as a dolphin jumps into the air (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador clowning around with a dolphine (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador clings on to his dolphins (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The brothers Schleck, Andy and Fränk (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador reclines on the back (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck at the 2007 edition (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen enjoys a drink in 2007 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schlek adjusts his goggles while Tom Boonen looks ready to dive (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Robert Gesink enjoying some down time with the paper (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Journalist Raymond Kerckhofs checks is Robert Gesink is ready his articles (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck decides to pour water on his head to cool down (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Gerard Ciolek enjoying his presence at the 2007 race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Riders enjoy a beer in 2007 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Thumbs up from Alberto Contador (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador and Tom Boonen teaching dolphin the peace sign (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador and Tom Boonen enjoying the water after the 2007 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck under water (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen gets curious during a scuba dive (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy and Fränk Schleck in their scuba gear (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy and Fränk Schleck and Tom Boonen under the water (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Gerald Ciolek with a dolphin (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Robert Gesink about to be kissed by a dolphin (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Gerald Ciolek enjoys the dolphin show (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Robert Gesink holds onto his dolphins (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fränk Schleck during a volleyball game (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Linus Gerdemann, Tom Boonen, Alberto Contador, Thomas Dekker and Andy Schleck all show off their pasty arms (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Thomas Dekker and Tom Boonen interview each other on Sporza (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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A dolphin plants a kiss on Alberto Contador (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen lets a dolphin give him a kiss (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador and Tom Boonen in2007 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck practises his camera skills (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Robert Gesink with girlfriend Daisy getting ready for a scuba dive (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador lets the podium hostess have his champagne (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy and Fränk Schleck enjoy a beer after the 2009 race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador focused on the startline in 2009 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Former pro Dirk De Wolf enjoying the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tony Martin on the podium in 2010 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Niki Terpstra, Fränk Schleck and Alessandro Petacchi made up the 2010 podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Niki Terpstra at the 2010 race with his family (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck and Tony Martin in 2010 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Race organiser Leo Van Vliet in 2011 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The 2011 podium of Fränk Schleck, Marcel Kittel and Johnny Hoogerland enjoy a beer (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck at the 2011 race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fränk Schleck in 2011 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Race organiser Leo Van Vliet with Marcel Kittel in 2011 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Pedro Delgado at the 2013 race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Jurgen Van den Brouck with Stijn Devolder in 2009 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck won the 2008 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Linus Gerdermann puts his feet up (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Gerard Ciolek soaks up the sun in 2007 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy and Fränk Schleck relax by a boat (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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It wasn't all fun for the riders as this sit down interview suggests in 2007 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador won the 2007 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The Schleck brothers, Contador and Boonen have a laugh in 2007 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen relaxing by the pool in his green jersey bibs (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador goes for a swim in the yellow jersey (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen decides on a more flamboyant style of headware (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The startline of the 2007 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador goes for a swim in hie 2007 yellow jersey (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Booen doing his own mechanical work (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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An Easy Rider Curacao member watches the 2007 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck enjoying a post-race party (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Two former Tour de France winners in Bernard Hinault and Joop Zoetemelt at the 2013 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen and Thomas Dekker clowning around (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen and Alberto Contador compare tanlines (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Eric Dekker looking a little concerned by the dolphin nibbling at his ear (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Thomas Dekker gets ready to scuba dive in 2006 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alejandro Valverde and George Hincapie at the 2006 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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American champion George Hincapie and 2006 UCI ProTour winner Alejandro Valverde (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alejandro Valverde won the 2006 edition of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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2005 world champion Tom Boonen in the rainbow jersey (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Paolo Savoldelli in the 2005 Giro d'Italia's maglia rosa (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen enjoying the pool (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen wins the 2005 Amstel Curaçao Race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Johan Vansummeren and girlfriend Jasmine (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen and his girlfriend enjoying the fruit and ice statues on offer (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Max van Heeswijk paddles with his sons in 2004 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Theo Bos, Andy Schleck and Stijn Devolder enjoy the fireworks in 2008 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alejandro Valverde leads George Hincapie and Fränk Schleck in a jetski race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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George Hincapie on a jetski (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alejandro Valverde went scuba diving in a skin suit (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen enjoying the Curacao sunset (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Thomas Dekker in 2007 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen decides to eat the paddle ball (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen enjoys a game of paddle ball (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Tom Boonen enjoying his scuba dive (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck, race organiser Leo Van Vliet and Fränk Schleck in 2006 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Andy Schleck practises his victory salutes (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alejandro Valverde looking relaxed in 2006 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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George Hincapie kisses the dolphin back (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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George Hincapie during a dolphin ride (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alejandro Valverde's turn for a dolphin ride (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fränk Schleck and girlfriend Martine put their hands up when accosted by the dolphins (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Ellen Van Dijk in the tug of war. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Joaquim Rodriguez enjoying his break in Curacao. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Marianne Vos won gold at the Worlds and Olympic Games in 2012. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Niki Terpstra in full flight on the water in Curacao. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Marcel Kittel will look to make further waves in 2013. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Thumbs up if you've been in more pictures than anyone else. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The stars of the international peloton sample scuba diving in Curacao. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Frank Schleck uses his only defense - blinding the opposition (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Johnny Hoogerland prepares to serve (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The Schleck side takes the lead (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The pasty white chests of the riders thankfully covered in scuba gear (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Fly-weight Peter Sagan is at a distinct disadvantage in the tug of war (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Johan Vansummeren and Jelle Vanendert have it out (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Marcel Kittel on a stroll along the beach (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Let's hope Steven Kriujswijk has SPF100 on. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The podium of the Amstel Curacao Race (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
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A clean shaven Peter Sagan (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Marcel Kittel in the pillow fight (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Edvald Boasson Hagen catches a ride from a pair of dolphins. (Image credit: Leo van Vliet)
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Brothers Andy (left) and Fränk Schleck frolic with dolphins while in Curaçao. (Image credit: Leon van Vliet)
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Amstel Curaçao Race champion Alberto Contador celebrates on the podium with runner up Thor Hushovd, third placed Koos Moerenhout and Contador's Astana teammates. (Image credit: Leo van Vliet)
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Alberto Contador (Astana) wins the Amstel Curaçao Race. (Image credit: Leo van Vliet)
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Fränk Schleck, Mark Cavendish, Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck (l-r) await the start of the Amstel Curaçao Race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The Curacao startline (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano) wins the Jan Thiel criterium ahead of Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) (Image credit: Leo van Vliet)
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The Amstel Curacao podium: Andy Schleck, Marcel Kittel and Johnny Hoogerland (Image credit: Amstel Curacao Race)
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Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC) and Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam) sprint for a prime during the Amstel Curaçao Race. (Image credit: Leo van Vliet)
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The podium of the 2013 Amstel Curcao Race (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
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Ellen van Dijk at the start of the race (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
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Jan Bakelants needs to work on his tan lines (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
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Warren Barguil makes a spalsh (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
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The former Tour winners show off their yellow jerseys (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
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Bernard Hinault and Jan Janssen on the beach (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
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Bernard Hinault gets ready to dive (Image credit: Amstel Curcao Race)
Since 2002, the end of season 'sportif' style Amstel Curaçao Race has been an unofficial 'after-party' of the cycling season as the peloton makes it way to the Caribbean island for a race and a few days of rest and relaxation in the sun. Scuba diving, volleyball, tug-of-war, dolphin rides and swimming have become just as important as the racing as the riders make the most of what the island has to offer.
The 2014 edition of the race takes place on November 8 with the Dutch and Belgian national champions, Sebastian Langeveld (Netherlands) and Jens Debusschere (Belgium), confirming their attendance.
Since its inception in 2002, past winners of the race include Michael Boogerd, Peter van Petegem, Oscar Freire, Tom Boonen, Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador, Andy and Frank Schleck and Marcel Kittel. A women's race was created in 2012 with Marianne Vos and Ellen Van Dijk emerging victorious.
Ahead of this year's race, Cyclingnews has gone through the archives to bring you a retrospective gallery of the race which you can see in full by clicking here.
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