Out with the cobbles and in with the climbs—that is the theme of Ardennes Week. 

The Ardennes Classics usher in an array of talent, from GC contenders to all-around-sprinter-types. The Amstel Gold Race kicks off the week of classics with 263 kilometers of narrow Dutch roads cresting a total of 35 climbs. 

The climbs are by no means mountains, rarely measuring more than a couple kilometers in length. However, the relentless frequency of climbing, coupled with a constant fight for position along the small, twisting roads, will produce a race of attrition lending itself to a wildly unpredictable finish.

The peloton will pass through the town of Valkenburg for the infamous ascent of the Cauberg three times throughout the race; however, as in 2017, the finish line no longer lies atop the steep pitch.

 Instead, a-16 kilometer finishing circuit awaits the riders after the final ascent of the Cauberg, which sends them up the Geulhemmerberg and the Bemelerberg before arriving at the finish. The course is designed to reduce the capacity of any team to take control of the closing stages of the race, lending itself to a small group, or a well-timed solo attack to win the day.

The Amstel Gold Race requires the positioning expertise of a Classics specialist along with the climbing abilities of the most elite riders in the peloton. Here are the top contenders to watch.

Peter Sagan

UCI WorldTour Ranking: 1

Best Result in 2018: 1st Paris Roubaix

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 3rd (2012)

When it was announced that the world champion and recent winner of Paris Roubaix would take to the start line at the Amstel Gold race, it’s not difficult to imagine a few hearts sinking in the World Tour peloton. Sagan has not put much stock in the Ardennes Week throughout his career, and has entirely avoided the second week of Classics since 2013. 

However, there is no doubt that he is in flying form following his dominant performance in Roubaix. He is one of the best riders in the peloton at freelancing for position in the front of the field, and the parcours of this year’s edition could hardly suit his array of strengths any better. 

The Slovakian rock star is the hands down favorite for this Sunday.

Philippe Gilbert

UCI WorldTour Ranking: 8

Best Result in 2018: 3rd Tour of Flanders

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 1st (2010, 2011, 2014, 2017)

Some riders have a race that just seems to work out for them. Amstel Gold Race and Philippe Gilbert have that special relationship. He is one victory away from tying the win record of Jan Raas, and has proven himself capable of winning regardless of the parcours laid out by the race director. Gilbert has the strength to tackle the hills, the race awareness to be in the right place at the right time, and no shortage of confidence on these Dutch roads.

Michal Kwiatkowski

UCI WorldTour Ranking: 15

Best Result in 2018: 1st Tirreno-Adriatico

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 1st (2015)

Like Gilbert, Kwiatkowski is another former world champion with a history of success at Amstel Gold. Indeed, it was that duo that escaped in 2017 and managed to hold off the small chasing group of riders. Kwiatkowski opened up his sprint too early and was passed before the line by Gilbert. The Polish one-day specialist will surely be one to watch in the closing kilometers on Sunday.

Michael Matthews

UCI WorldTour Ranking: 52

Best Result in 2018: 7th Milan San Remo

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 3rd 2015

The 2017 Tour de France green jersey winner is a man no classics rider will want to bring to the line. Matthews is one of the quickest finishers able to drag himself over the climbs of the Ardennes. If there is a small bunch finish on Sunday, the odds will tip in the Australian’s favor.

Tim Wellens

UCI WorldTour Ranking: 51

Best Result in 2018: 1st De Brabanste Pijl

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 10 (2016)

Wellens has been on flying form this year. He is a heads-up racer who knows how to infiltrate a dangerous move. He just notched up his fourth victory of the season—not including the points classification at Paris-Nice—on Wednesday at De Brabanste Pijl, and he’s the sort of rider who could just well slip away over over one of the final climbs on Sunday.

Julian Alaphilippe

UCI WorldTour Ranking: 35

Best Result in 2018: 1st Stage 1 & 2 Vuelta Pais Vasco

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 6th (2016)

Alaphilippe kicked off the Vuelta Pais Vasco in dominant fashion, but disappointingly slipped out of the GC as the race progressed. The Frenchman will be a major card for Quick-Step Floors to play in the closing kilometers of the race.

Greg Van Avermaet

UCI WorldTour Ranking: 5

Best Result in 2018: 4th Paris Roubaix

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 5th 2015

Van Avermaet has not had the Classics campaign that he hoped for, but he has been there or thereabouts without question all spring. The Belgian hard man is hungry for a victory, and is not one to shy away from the fight when the road turns up hill.

Michael Albasini

UCI WorldTour Ranking: n/a

Best Result in 2018: 4th Stage 3 Vuelta Pais Vasco

Best Finish at Amstel Gold Race: 3rd 2017

Albasini is a surely a dark horse for The Amstel Gold Race. The Swiss veteran often rides at the service of his Mitchelton-Scott teammates, but when he gives himself a crack at the finish, he often turns heads. Between Albasini and former winner Roman Kreuziger, don’t be surprised to see Mitchelton-Scott at the front of affairs on Sunday.