Spring Classics Part 2: Into the Ardennes

The first part of the spring has centered around the hard men of cycling, those riders who use brute power and strength of character to beat their opponents on some of the toughest races courses the world over. But as we approach the final days of April , it is the climbers who come to the fore, as the parcours shift from mostly flat to mostly hilly in the coming weeks.

First up will be this week's Amstel Gold Race in Holland, following in subsequent weeks by the Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege classics. Below follows some key questions ahead of the first Ardennes tilt the Amstel Gold Race.

Looks like Cadel Evans is out of competition for the classics season, a blow to the BMC squad that is reeling once again from allegations regarding doping and Alessandro Ballan. Shut out for the cobbled classics, BMC probably won;t strike pay dirt in the Ardennes either.

Although he was unable to break through at Flanders like he had hoped, Philippe Gilbert nevertheless is on fire. He looks primed for strong showings over the next three weeks, and heads into the Amstel as the odds on favorite. Even if he doesn't win a hilly classic his season has been a big success thus far.

Euskaltel's Sammy Sanchez is always a protagonist for the hilly classics, but he has not been able to put it all together yet. He is clearly on good form heading into the next three weeks, and he'll have few excuses if he comes up empty again this year.

On paper, HTC looks weak at best, over matched at worst. But this isn't the first time that has been the case. Watch they don't steal one of the three upcoming races.

Katucha's best hope for a victory is Danilo Di Luca. Should the tainted Di Luca win in the coming days, he would probably receive a similar reception to the one Alexander Vinokourov received last year at Liege.

Damiano Cunego, although a favorite on paper, has much to prove if he is truly to be considered a favorite, For now, "outsider" is probably the best terminology to apply to the former Giro overall winner.

Fabian Cancellara lit up the cobbled classics, but was able to muster only one victory along the way. The rest of the peloton ganged up on "Sparticus" throughout the spring, but expect him to be able to hide better for Amstel. He'll probably carry a healthy bit of anger into this weekend's test, don't be surprised to see him, at a minimum, on the final podium for Amstel. If Cancellara is not up to the task meanwhile, watch for the Schleck tandem, who are always ready come this time of year.

Peter Sagan should begin to shine over the next few weeks. he spread himself a bit thin riding most of the early season contests, but expect his form to be good for the upcoming races, all of which suit him better than the cobbles.

Alexander Vinokorouv will once again be in the mix for the next few weeks. Sometimes reality sucks.

Robert Gesink's best chance at a win comes at the Fleche Wallonne, not the Amstel. Hopefully he can play the tactics well.

In looking at their roster, it looks as though Saxo bank will be anonymous at Amstel.

Garmin-Cervelo will be soaring after their huge Paris-Roubaix win, and now it is Ryder Hesjedal's turn to take the reigns. He should have a good chance at both Amstel and Liege.