Paolini heads north

Luca Paolini, who finished third in Milan-San Remo, is heading to Belgium for a tough schedule of northern classics. The Liquigas rider will race all the classics, save for Paris-Roubaix. He is particularly keen on the Ronde van Vlaanderen, which is his favourite race.

"After my performance in Milan-San Remo, I expect to do well in the next races too," said Paolini. "I especially like the Ronde van Vlaanderen, but I don't undervalue the other events. Besides the race of the bergs, I'm thinking about the Driedaagse De Panne and Amstel Gold Race."