A Classic team

Euskaltel will send both of their two main captains to the Ardennes Classics. Samuel Sánchez will take on all three, starting this weekend with the Amstel Gold, while Antón will take on the latter two as he joins up with the team after completing Castilla y León Sunday afternoon. Accompanying the pair will be Jonathan Castroviejo, who I expect will be a force to be reckoned with in these races in a couple of years, proven performer Egoi Martínez, in-form Gorka Verdugo, solid climber Iván Velasco, and strong all-rounders Alan Pérez and Pablo Urtasun. As Antón won't do Amstel, Euskaltel will face the first of the Classics with only seven riders.

While I'm afraid Amstel isn't perfectly suited to Samu, both Samu and Antón might podium in Fleche and Liège if everything clicks on the day. Both have shown their worth in these races in years past and it looks as if both will bring their a-game. Make sure to catch the racing on TV and check back here for full results.