The first of the three Ardennes Classics will be driven on Sunday the 20th. The race has a very special meaning for Aussie Nathan Haas of Garmin-Sharp. In an interview with Cyclingnews, he said he will try to perform well in a race he respects a lot. He even calls it one of the hardest one-day races.

The Australian Garmin-Sharp rider was shown some confidence by his team as he was given the role as captain in the Brabantse Pijl. He paid back the confidence by taking a 6th place. Amstel Gold Race is a race he has appreciated since his mountain bike career.

"Before I was a rider, I was a cycling fan," Haas told Cyclingnews. "I just love cycling, even when I was watching the Amstel Gold Race as a mountain biker, I just appreciated it because it was tough and it just seemed to me a bit more honest than a lot of the other races."

Haas thinks the winner of Amstel Gold Race must have some great balls referring to last year’s winner Roman Kreuziger.

"Last year's winner Roman Kreuziger just had bigger balls than anyone else. I see guys like Gerrans, who have won a stage in every Grand Tour, countless WorldTour stages and monuments, but they are still chasing the Amstel Gold, and if any of them won the Amstel Gold they would retire a very fulfilled cyclist," he said.

According to Haas, one of the things which make this race so special is because many riders feel the same way as he does.

"I think something that can be said about what makes the Amstel Gold so favourable, is how so many guys feel exactly the same way about it as I do."

"To be honest, I sometimes feel a bit intimidated by these guys," said Haas.

Nathan Haas has earned himself some respect after his good performances this year, which impresses him a lot. He is very happy about receiving this kind of attention from high-standard riders.

"Sometimes I have to remind myself that 'No, Nathan, you actually have moments where you are at the same level' but to feel like I get just a sliver of respect from the guys that I feel set the world standard, many of which are fellow Aussies, is pretty damn cool. This is a race that needs to be 'raced'," said Haas.

According to Haas himself he is in a good shape right now, which also can be seen by his results. But it is not only him, the whole team is looking great at the moment.

"My body is feeling awesome at the moment, but to be honest, I wonder which riders on our team are the ones actually getting bottles because in my mind, we are such a strong squad."

Haas praises team manager Jonathan Vaughters for giving the riders with a high potential a chance to show themselves off on his team.

"Garmin-Sharp has always been a really cool team that gives opportunity to guys that have been identified with having a lot of potential," said Haas. "This is something that [Jonathan Vaughters] has an amazing eye for."

But Vaughters had to do something, after some of the key riders of the team have made their retirements.

"With the retirement of some key riders, JV has had to be smart and choose the guys that he sees can carry this team into the future and it's quite amazing to be a part of a team that has a load of talented athletes just starting their careers."

Back to Amstel Gold Race, Haas says it is that kind of race where you have to know every little corner and part. He will try to stay at the front in the most important part of the race.

"Amstel is one of those races that you have to learn each corner and really feel the sensations and understand where the moment is," he said. "I respect the fact that this is one of the hardest one-day races in the world and there are many guys preparing for it, but I'm ready to do whatever it takes to race this race the way it needs to be raced – full tilt."

"I am going to try to be in the most important part of the race for as long as possible and if that means me being at the finish and helping the team then I will be at the finish, but that may also mean me having an opportunity to actually making something happen."