Katusha are yet to confirm their line-up for the Amstel Gold Race but Joaquim Rodriguez and Daniel Moreno both have previous on the type of lumpy parcours served up at the Ardennes Classics.

Moreno won La Fleche Wallonne last year, while Joaquim Rodriguez claimed the same race in 2012 and finished second at Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2013. Rodriguez is one of the form riders in the peloton, too, having triumphed at the Volta a Catalunya.

Moreno, too, enjoyed a top-ten finish at Tirreno-Adriatico before serving as domestique to Purito in Catalunya – but the 32-year-old’s victory at La Fleche last year was a timely reminder he is more than just a support rider for the defending world number one.

Both have the explosive climbing ability to succeed at the Amstel Gold Racing as Katusha look to continue a fine start to the season which has also included Alexander Kristoff’s triumph at Milan-San Remo.