Van Vliet believes an elite group will contest the finish but adds that recent editions of Amstel Gold point towards quite an open race .
Van Vliet rode for raas in 1979 and remembers the rapturous reception for that success .
Van Vliet , who rode for raas in 1979 and remembers the rapturous reception for that success , believes an elite group will contest the finish but adds that recent editions of Amstel Gold point towards quite an open race .