Welcome to Eurosport-Yahoo!'s live text coverage of the Amstel Gold Race!

The peloton has been split into three groups after a crash, though I don't think these groups will be apart for long, like at Milan-San Remo.

Frank Schleck on his chances today: "I know I can win and that's important for my confidence. Amstel is an elimination race. You can't be further back than 40th position in the peloton in the last 100km and the closer we get to the finish, it becomes harder and harder to hold a position at the front. The thing I like the most is the distance because I'm an endurance rider. The longer the race, the more I perform and the more motivated I become."

The Astana and Sky teams now hit the front as the gap steadies at 3'00" approaching the Vrakelberg, another 700 metre climb at 8%.

We're now approaching the final third of the race, which has been criticised in the past for being dangerous at times, with parked cars and traffic islands frequently causing crashes. Staying at the front, therefore, is all important. Gilbert's assessment of the race: "I consider the Amstel Gold Race as one of the most beautiful classics, but also as one of the most dangerous. You should therefore always be very careful when riding it."

The Rabobank team have their bikes adorned with a red rose, the symbol of the Ride of the Roses, an annual cycling event that raises money for the fight against cancer.

The leaders now know they're not going to be out front for much longer. Their lead has fallen below the three minute mark for the first time.

One of two riders including Johan Vansummeren have stopped for a quick bathroom break in the peloton. The leaders are now not far off the Gulpenerberg, a short but sharp 700 metre climb that averages out at 8%.

The Leopard-Trek team of Fabian Cancellara and the Schleck brothers have now come to the front of the pack and have brought the gap down to 4'45".

Thomas reckons Samuel Sanchez is the man for today (which isn't a bad shout), while Debbie says: "4I'm really feeling a showing of Schlecks. This is­ the type of race they have been waiting for." The wonderfully-named l'Empereur predicts: "Johnny Hoogerland as my dark horse, Gilbert as the man­ to beat, Rodriguez - Gesink - Hesjedal for the top 10." Jacob was clearly impressed by his performance at Paris Roubaix, and says: "Watch out for Nick Nuyens..."

Get out the Jupiler and waffles, we've now entered Belgium! The route takes the riders through the Easternmost part of Belgium, and up the Gemmenich, the 13th climb, before looping back into Holland. The peloton seem happy to keep the leaders on a leash of 6'45".

11 hills down, 21 to go. The peloton are now on the 12th climb of the day, the Camerig. It's certainly not the steepest, at just 4%, but at 4 kilometres it's the longest of the climbs on the route. Meanwhile, the peloton continue to take time back on the four leaders, who are now just 7'00" ahead.

So, we've had a look at the favourites for victory here today, but if recent weeks are anything to go by, we could well have one of the underdogs winning here. Who do you fancy for victory? Post your thoughts below, and I'll put them into the live comments.

Rabobank move to the front of the peloton as the gap comes back down to 10'00". There was a bit of looking around at the head of the pack a little while ago as the big teams were looking around wondering who exactly was going to take up the chase and when. Well, we now have our answer.

Fabian CANCELLARA: Normally I wouldn't consider Cancellara one of the main contenders for this race, but the agony of two podium finishes but no victories in Flanders and Roubaix could see Spartacus launch a death-or-glory bid for victory before he takes a break ahead of the Tour. He won't want to leave it to the Cauberg, but could well try an attack 30 kilometres out.

The peloton are showing very little interest in chasing down this breakaway. The gap is up to 11'30" now.

Philippe Gilbert is forced to change bikes. I don't think he suffered a crash, but in any case he needs a new machine, and he's quickly back on his way.

Ryder HESJEDAL: Despite having a wealth of classics specialists among their ranks, the Garmin-Cervelo squad looked like they might win sweet nothing this Spring until Johan Vansummeren saved the day for them at Paris-Roubaix. Vansummeren is not really suited to these climbs, but Canadian Hesjedal is. "I think the whole team's on a high and the guys who came out of Pais Vasco are going to be blending into the Ardennes now on great form," he said.

Our lead quartet stretch their advantage to 8'00" as we approach the Wolfsberg.

Damiano CUNEGO: Much like the Katusha team, Lampre are in desperate need of some positive headlines following the doping raid that police launched in their hotel recently. Nothing was found, though such events do not please sponsors. Cunego has converted himself into a one-day specialist in recent years, and short, punchy climbs like the Cauberg are ideally suited to him. He represents the biggest danger to Gilbert, though his team isn't as strong as others in the pack.

That three minute lead has rapidly gone out to six minutes as the pace in the peloton drops right down.

Our leaders have extended their lead to 3'00" as they crest the Cauberg for the first time. They'll be climbing it twice more today.