Coming up next week will be Phil Gilbert's triple defense of the Ardennes classics that he won last year. A clean sweep looks unlikely again this year after indifferent form following the move to BMC but Gilbert is not a rider who can be easily written off. There will be several challengers to Gilbert this season and of those, Peter Sagan looks like a real threat. The 22 year old Slovakian National Champion could land a double punch with team mate Vincenzo Nibali at his side. However Cadel Evans could prove to be the ace in BMC's hand riding as a super domestique. Closer to the Ardennes there will be greater signs of who is in form and once teams are announced, who'll have the strongest support. Tom Boonen has already pulled out of the Amstel Gold Race and his presence will be missed. Andy Schleck has a Liège–Bastogne–Liège win to his name along with top-ten finishes at Amstel and La Flèche Wallonne. Again, like Gilbert, Schleck has had an indifferent beginning to 2012 but it is his schedule to peak in April for the Ardennes before peaking again for Le Tour. Simon Gerrans in another rider who could challenge for a win, and his 2nd classics win this year following his Milan-San Remo win.
A longer article will appear later in the week/early next week looking at the favourites and major talking points leading into the Ardennes.
A longer article will appear later in the week/early next week looking at the favourites and major talking points leading into the Ardennes.
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