Mathieu van der Poel will hope to continue his stunning recent form ©Getty Images

Mathieu van der Poel will again start as a pre-race favourite at the Amstel Gold Race with the Dutchman seeking his second victory in the one-day race in the Netherlands.

Van der Poel ended an 18-year wait for a Dutch winner of the men’s race when he triumphed in 2019.

The 2020 race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while Van der Poel’s long-term rival Wout Van Aert triumphed on an adapted route in a photo finish last year.

Van Aert will be unable to defend his title as he continues his recovery from COVID-19, leaving Van der Poel the focus of attention.

The Alpecin–Fenix rider heads into the race in impressive form, following victories at Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders in recent weeks.

The 254.1km race will take riders from Maastricht to Valkenburg, with the Cauberg and Bemelerberg climbs expected to be key.

Britain’s Tom Pidcock could be among Van der Poel’s rivals, with the Ineos Grenadiers rider having finished as the runner-up last year, following the photo finish.

Australia’s Michael Matthews and Slovenia’s Matej Mohoric have been tipped as potential contenders for victory.

Marianne Vos will not defend her women's Amstel Gold Race title tomorrow ©Getty Images
Marianne Vos will not defend her women's Amstel Gold Race title tomorrow ©Getty Images

Defending champion Marianne Vos has opted to skip the 127.5km women’s race, with her focus on Paris-Roubaix next week.

Demi Vollering and Annemiek van Vleuten will seek to improve on their finishes last season in Vos’ absence.

The duo completed an all-Dutch podium in 2021, with Vos winning the race in a sprint finish.

Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma, who won the 2019 event, will also be a likely contender for victory.