Sky waiting to decide tactics for cobbled Monuments

Shorn of Sky's regular Classics leader Geraint Thomas; Luke Rowe and Ian Stannard form a two-pronged attack for Team Sky at this year's races, but Knaven will not yet be drawn on their precise strategies for the prestigious cobbled Monuments of the spring.

Rowe finished 15th in Friday's E3 Harelbeke with Stannard 56th, while Belgium's Greg van Avermaet once again showed his strength in one-day races by taking the win.

But with top-ten finishes to his name at both Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, Rowe can be considered a real contender for the Classics, while with two Omloop Het Nieuwsblad titles listed on his palmares Stannard also looks like a man for the Monuments.

And Knaven thinks having two cards to play in the upcoming races will be of benefit to Team Sky.

"I think sometimes it's better to have one leader, and sometimes it's better to have two leaders," he said.

"We have two really good riders so why should we play one card. In these sort of unpredictable races it's always smart to play multiple cards.

"Luke looked really strong at Paris-Nice. He was one of the key riders that helped Sergio Henao win. He also had a really good Milan-San Remo. He's ready.

"Ian didn't ride Paris-Nice or Tirreno, but he did San Remo and looked good there.

"We'll have to see how Ghent-Wevelgem goes before deciding our strategy for Flanders and Roubaix. A lot can happen between now and next week."

Gent-Wevelgem takes place this Sunday, with the Tour of Flanders being raced on Saturday, April 1, while Paris-Roubaix follows on Sunday, April 9. Sportsbeat 2017