It's the beer race, but also the race of wind and narrow roads. Younger compared to monument classics, the Amstel is the first act of the Ardennes week, a prestigious trilogy that only two have completed with a full sweep: the poor Davide Rebellin, who nailed them all in 2004, and the home rider, Philippe Gilbert, who succeeded seven years later. Traditional route, from Maastricht to Valkenburg, 256 kilometers that don't grant a moment's respite from the start: 34 small hills proposed by a course that ultimately breaks the legs. The most iconic remains the Cauberg, crowded with fans waiting for the race with a beer mug in hand, this year also proposed as the final exam: there will be three passages on a short and sharp climb where the race's destiny is traditionally decided. Seven Italian victories, almost all in the new millennium, the last in 2016 with Enrico Gasparotto, the only one of ours to make a double. Here are the ten faces aiming to enter the golden book.

Tadej Pogacar. Wins because he's a category above everyone else, because he wants to immediately regain confidence with success, because the only time he raced it two years ago he won it. Doesn't win because having ridden an excellent Roubaix might leave some aftermath.

Remco Evenepoel. Wins because phenomena manage to do it even in races never ridden, because after the long stop he immediately showed up at the top, because Pogacar's presence is a great stimulus. Doesn't win because he just returned to racing and his true goal is to try at Liege.

Tom Pidcock. Wins because it's the classic he's most familiar with, because he won the last one after having one stolen from him at the photo finish three years before, because this season he's going strong. Doesn't win because since Sanremo he's only raced the Brabant Arrow and the long break might have taken away his rhythm.

Wout Van Aert. Wins because he wants to close his spring with an important result, because this is the only significant race he's conquered in the North, because a course like this is ideal for him. Doesn't win because he seems to suffer from the pace change of the phenomena around him.

Marc Hirschi. Wins because he's cut out for this type of race, because his season is focused especially on the Ardennes, because he came very close already a year ago. Doesn't win because so far this season he hasn't appeared particularly brilliant and might have Alaphilippe as a valid alternative.

Thibau Nys. Wins because he's another with the stigmata of a phenomenon, because he seems made specifically for the Ardennes classics, because he started winning immediately and has no intention of stopping. Doesn't win because at 22 he still lacks the experience for such tough races.

Ben Healy. Wins because he's in excellent health, because on the Limburg eat-and-drink sections a rider like him is in his element, because two years ago at his debut he was the best after Pogacar. Doesn't win because in an exhausting race like this one must save energy and he rarely manages to do so.

Simone Velasco. Wins because it's the Northern classic that suits him best, because in the dress rehearsals for the Ardennes he showed he was ready, because among those who promise something, he's among the few to deliver. Doesn't win because when the race gets tough, he lacks something compared to the best.

Maxim Van Gils. Wins because the Ardennes are his bread and butter, because so far he's prepared especially for these appointments, because in this race he's already sniffed the top ten air. Doesn't win because compared to the heavyweight racers, he still seems to have something less.

Tiesj Benoot. Wins because this is his week, because in Limburg he's already climbed on the podium a couple of times, because he's a man who doesn't get lost when the going gets tough. Doesn't win because Van Aert is in the team and he'll have to sacrifice himself especially for him.