Ash cloud forces top cyclists out of Amstel Gold race in the Netherlands

Volcano forces cyclists to miss Dutch race

MAASTRICHT, Netherlands — Several top cyclists will miss Sunday’s Amstel Gold race in the Netherlands because of the volcanic ash cloud disrupting flights across Europe.

Alejandro Valverde, Carlos Sastre and Bradley Wiggins are unable to race because their flights to the Netherlands have been canceled.

The withdrawals are a further blow to the one-day classic after Lance Armstrong and Fabian Cancellara decided not to race.

The ash from the Iceland volcano is also affecting travel plans for many European soccer teams. Also scrambling is Olympic runner Abdellah Falil of Morocco. He is to compete in Monday’s Boston Marathon but is stuck at home. He hopes to fly from Casablanca to New York and then to Boston on Sunday.