Australian Nathan Haas will lead Dimension Data when they take aim at the first of the Ardennes Classics, the Amstel Gold Race, in the Netherlands on Sunday.
Nathan Haas will lead Dimension Data in the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday. Photo: Supplied
Sports director Oli Cookson said Haas was in good shape and he would be the protected rider in the 264km race between Maastricht and Berg en Terblijt.
“We want to put him in the best possible position for the final,” he said.
“However, due to the changes in the course, I think we may see the favourites open up earlier than usual. We need to be ready to react to that.”
Instead of finishing just after the top of the Cauberg, the peloton will face the Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg – the last of 35 climbs – in the run-in to Berg en Terblijt.
For support, Haas will be able to rely on Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Ben King, Serge Pauwels, Youcef Reguigui, Johann van Zyl, Jaco Venter and Kristian Sbaragli.
