Some extracts from the latest interview with Fränk Schleck about AGR:
"Amstel is the most difficult of the Ardennes Classics to win (French)"
"In the last 100km, you can never be further down than 40th. Of course, as the race goes on, this becomes more and more difficult - it's a race by elimination".
"It's good to have Fabian (Cancellara) for the order of the DS's in the line of team cars. A small detail like that can change a lot. From all we've seen, Fabian has the strength to win Amstel. Whatever happens, I think he will be able, at the very least, to help us a lot".
"Like every year, I can see a group of 10-15 riders go away in the last 30 km. The ideal scenario is to attack before the Cauberg, like I did it."
"Gilbert is very, very strong. Impressive. But I think Amstel suits him better than Liège, which remains his big objective. What impresses me is his capacity to keep his form - he's a great rider."
Q: You have already mentioned Gilbert. Who are your other favourites?
A: Sanchez, Cunego, Vinokourov, Gesink, Kolobnev.
Q: What about Freire?
A: In past years I've named him as a favourite and he hasn't won. I don't think he can do it, but that can change. If he's at the bottom of the Cauberg, watch out ...
Q: And Ivanov?
A: We haven't seen him much lately, so I don't think so. But I could be wrong. That's cycling.