April 13, 2013 – The Ardennes classic Amstel Gold race from Maastricht to Valkenberg, 251.8km, which dates back to 1966, gets rolling on Sunday morning through the Netherlands featuring a new route and 34 climbs including the famous Cauberg, plus a record number of Canadian riders – Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin Sharp), Christian Meier (Orica-GreenEdge), Francois Parisien (Argos-Shimano), Dominique Rollin (FDJ) and Will Routley (Accent Jobs – Wanty).

Hesjedal was on the podium in 2010 in 2nd behind Belgian strongman Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing), the reigning Road Worlds Champ, with Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana in third. Hesjedal has shown good form in the Ardennes classics with strong results at Amstel (15th in 2012), Flèche Wallone (21st in 2012), and Liège Bastogne Liège (9th in 2012) but his focus this year is defending his Giro title.

Gilbert won Amstel again in 2011 and Gasparotto took the win in 2012, but the Italian, although registered to race, may not be in top form after a being hit by a truck during a training ride on Thursday.

Meanwhile Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale seems like the man to beat these days recently besting Gilbert at the line earlier this week at Brabantse Pijl for the win, coming second at the Tour of Flanders, winning Gent-Wevelgem, coming second at E3 Harelbeke and second at Milan San Remo.

Follow Pedal‘s coverage of the Amstel Gold action at about the half way point on Sunday morning on Twitter …