2014 La Fleche Wallonne podium

Coming off world champion Michal Kwiatkowski’s win in the Amstel Gold Race, the World Tour will move from the Netherlands to neighboring Belgium to take on the wall that is the Mur de Huy in La Fleche Wallonne, the 2nd of the Ardennes classics.

The course:

The 205.5 k route will be starting in Waremme this year, going over the Cote des 36 Toumants to Durbuy, then makes it way over through Ohey, over the Cote de Bellaire, through Andenne, and over the Cote de Bohissau to get to the 1.3 k Mur de Huy which they will climb 3 times, the 3rd being a summit finish. In between the Mur de Huy ascents will be 2 different circuits with 2-3 climbs. The 1st circuit will go over the Cote d’Ereffe on its way back to Ohey and follow the previous route to Huy. They will continue back over the Cote d’Ereffe again, but instead of continuing to Ohey, the 2nd circuit cuts to the right straight to the last part of the 1st circuit. When the riders get into the city of Huy, they will take a detour up the Cote de Cherave and loop back around to the start of the finishing climb, wihich will also be the finishing climb for stage 3 of this year’s Tour de France.

The contenders:

There are less climbs here then there were in Amstel, but being steeper and longer mean that this will be a day more for climbers than versatile sprinters. That’s not to say guys that are more sprinters than climbers have no chance, they’ll just have to have a good enough combination of punchiness and energy to get the job done.

Movistar ‘s winner Alejandro Valverde is the defending winner, and after getting 2nd at the Amstel Gold Race, he’s favored to get his 3rd win in this event (also won in 2006) and the repeat victory. Riding next to the Spaniard will be Nairo Quintana. He might be the best climber in the field, but he lacks the explosiveness need to win in a group. My guess is the team will use him to either attack or stay on the front and shrink the pack on the last couple climbs before they get to the Mur de Huy. The Spanish squad will also depend on climber Gorka Izagirre to keep Valverde in position.

‘s winner Alejandro Valverde is the defending winner, and after getting 2nd at the Amstel Gold Race, he’s favored to get his 3rd win in this event (also won in 2006) and the repeat victory. Riding next to the Spaniard will be Nairo Quintana. He might be the best climber in the field, but he lacks the explosiveness need to win in a group. My guess is the team will use him to either attack or stay on the front and shrink the pack on the last couple climbs before they get to the Mur de Huy. The Spanish squad will also depend on climber Gorka Izagirre to keep Valverde in position. Following his triumph in the Amstel Gold Race, Michal Kwiatkowski will continue his quest to get the Ardennes triple. He can obviously handle the race’s parcours, getting 3rd last year and 5th the year before. Helping him from his Etixx-Quick Step team will be surprise Amstel top-10 finisher Julian Alaphilippe, Tony Martin, and Gianluca Brambilla.

team will be surprise Amstel top-10 finisher Julian Alaphilippe, Tony Martin, and Gianluca Brambilla. The other rider getting a podium finish last year is Dan Martin. At Amstel, he was 15th after getting into the winning group, but the steepness of Fleche Wallonne suits him much better. Also riding for Cannondale-Garmin will be Tom-Jelte Slagter (5th last year), Nathan Haas, and Ramunas Navardauskas.

will be Tom-Jelte Slagter (5th last year), Nathan Haas, and Ramunas Navardauskas. Katusha has the winners from 2 of the last 3 years in Joaquim Rodriguez and Daniel Moreno. Rodriguez struggled in the Dutch classic, but has otherwise been successful this season and has 5 had top-10 finishes here, so he should be in better shape going into Huy. Moreno going into the winning move along with teammate Giampaolo Caruso, also at Fleche Wallonne, getting 11th in the sprint (Caruso getting 13th). He hasn’t shown much this year up until Amstel, getting top-20’s at Pais Vasco and a top-10 at Oman, but he didn’t the year he won either.

has the winners from 2 of the last 3 years in Joaquim Rodriguez and Daniel Moreno. Rodriguez struggled in the Dutch classic, but has otherwise been successful this season and has 5 had top-10 finishes here, so he should be in better shape going into Huy. Moreno going into the winning move along with teammate Giampaolo Caruso, also at Fleche Wallonne, getting 11th in the sprint (Caruso getting 13th). He hasn’t shown much this year up until Amstel, getting top-20’s at Pais Vasco and a top-10 at Oman, but he didn’t the year he won either. BMC ‘s Philippe Gilbert will try to improve on his 10th place finish in the Amstel Gold Race. He has 4 top-10 finishes, including a win in 2011, and will work to put on a show for his home region of Wallonia. Tejay van Garderen has been hit or miss all season long. He crashes one day and finishes way behind the pack and the next day wins. He hasn’t had much success in classics before, but he’s too good of a climber not to mention. Other riders include Samuel Sanchez (top-5 in 2006, 2009, 2011) and Ben Hermans (top-20 in 2009, 2011; 18th at Amstel, De Brabantse Pijl winner).

‘s Philippe Gilbert will try to improve on his 10th place finish in the Amstel Gold Race. He has 4 top-10 finishes, including a win in 2011, and will work to put on a show for his home region of Wallonia. Tejay van Garderen has been hit or miss all season long. He crashes one day and finishes way behind the pack and the next day wins. He hasn’t had much success in classics before, but he’s too good of a climber not to mention. Other riders include Samuel Sanchez (top-5 in 2006, 2009, 2011) and Ben Hermans (top-20 in 2009, 2011; 18th at Amstel, De Brabantse Pijl winner). Lotto Soudal has a few riders they could potentially work for. Jelle Vanendert has 3 top-10 finishes at the Mur de Huy, getting as high as 4th in 2012. Tim Wellens won the chasing sprint to get 19th at the Amstel Gold Race and has the ability to stick an attack from a ways from the finish.

has a few riders they could potentially work for. Jelle Vanendert has 3 top-10 finishes at the Mur de Huy, getting as high as 4th in 2012. Tim Wellens won the chasing sprint to get 19th at the Amstel Gold Race and has the ability to stick an attack from a ways from the finish. Bauke Mollema disappointed at his home race, but this is a race that is a better fit for him with there being bigger climbs. The Trek Factory Racing rider has 3 top-10 finishes in La Fleche Wallonne, including 4th in 2014. Also successful here in previous year for Trek is Julian Arredondo, finishing 11th last year, and Frank Schleck, getting 4th in 2006 and 7th in 2007 and 2011. Also look for Bob Jungels, getting 23rd at Amstel as the best place on the team after supporting the rest of the race.

rider has 3 top-10 finishes in La Fleche Wallonne, including 4th in 2014. Also successful here in previous year for Trek is Julian Arredondo, finishing 11th last year, and Frank Schleck, getting 4th in 2006 and 7th in 2007 and 2011. Also look for Bob Jungels, getting 23rd at Amstel as the best place on the team after supporting the rest of the race. Despite not expecting anything, Vincenzo Nibali surprised himself with his form while in the break at the Amstel Gold Race.Chances are he’ll look even better in a race with bigger climbs. The Italian national champ will try to improve on his 8th place in this race in 2012. Astana will also feature Jakob Fuglsang (19th last year, 17 at Amstel) and Michele Scarponi (4th in 2004).

will also feature Jakob Fuglsang (19th last year, 17 at Amstel) and Michele Scarponi (4th in 2004). Orica GreenEDGE ‘s Michael Albasini will participate in one of his best races. He has 5 top-10 finishes atop the Mur de Huy, including 2nd in 2012 and 7th 12 months ago. If he falters, the team has another great option in Simon Yates who showed great form at Pais Vasco (5th overall). After putting in a huge effort in the break at Amstel, Simon Clarke (16th last year) will back up the leaders, along with Michael Matthews (3rd at Amstel).

‘s Michael Albasini will participate in one of his best races. He has 5 top-10 finishes atop the Mur de Huy, including 2nd in 2012 and 7th 12 months ago. If he falters, the team has another great option in Simon Yates who showed great form at Pais Vasco (5th overall). After putting in a huge effort in the break at Amstel, Simon Clarke (16th last year) will back up the leaders, along with Michael Matthews (3rd at Amstel). Giant-Alpecin ‘s Warren Barguil will do his best to better his 23rd place from last year’s edition of the race. Helping will be Georg Preidler (27th in 2013).

‘s Warren Barguil will do his best to better his 23rd place from last year’s edition of the race. Helping will be Georg Preidler (27th in 2013). La Fleche Wallonne is usually Lampre-Merida ‘s leader’s worst Ardennes classic, but after getting his best place in an early season classic (4th in the Amstel Gold Race), Rui Costa know he can beat his 17th place from 12 months ago. Here to help the former world champ is Diego Ulissi (9th in 2012), Manuele Mori (top-20 in 2005, 2007), and Rafael Valls.

‘s leader’s worst Ardennes classic, but after getting his best place in an early season classic (4th in the Amstel Gold Race), Rui Costa know he can beat his 17th place from 12 months ago. Here to help the former world champ is Diego Ulissi (9th in 2012), Manuele Mori (top-20 in 2005, 2007), and Rafael Valls. Rinaldo Nocentini got into the winning move at the Amstel Gold Race to get 12th, now he’ll try to get his 4th top-10 in Wallonia, his highest placing being 6th in 2007. AG2R La Mondiale will also be riding for Jan Bakelants (24th at Amstel) with support coming from Carlos Betancur (3rd in 2013) and Sebastien Minard (18th in 2010).

will also be riding for Jan Bakelants (24th at Amstel) with support coming from Carlos Betancur (3rd in 2013) and Sebastien Minard (18th in 2010). Tinkoff-Saxo has multiple options to go with for this race. Roman Kreuziger is coming of 14th at Amstel, so his form is good enough to get better than his 8th place in 2014. They’ll also have Robert Kiserlovski (5th in 2012), Michael Valgren (22nd at Amstel), and Rafal Majka.

has multiple options to go with for this race. Roman Kreuziger is coming of 14th at Amstel, so his form is good enough to get better than his 8th place in 2014. They’ll also have Robert Kiserlovski (5th in 2012), Michael Valgren (22nd at Amstel), and Rafal Majka. Jarlinson Pantano will try to get a good result for IAM Cycling in his first Fleche Wallonne after getting 11th overall in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. IAM will also have Mathias Frank (15th in 2014).

in his first Fleche Wallonne after getting 11th overall in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. IAM will also have Mathias Frank (15th in 2014). Sky is sending a great climbing team, including Chris Froome. He hasn’t historically been great at one-day races, but he showed inceased explosiveness at the Ruta Del Sol at the start of the season, so he has a chance for a good result if he’s fully recovered from his illness. The British team will also have Sergio Henao (2nd in 2013), Wout Poels (top-10 in 2012, 2014) and Lars Petter Nordhaug (16th at Amstel).

is sending a great climbing team, including Chris Froome. He hasn’t historically been great at one-day races, but he showed inceased explosiveness at the Ruta Del Sol at the start of the season, so he has a chance for a good result if he’s fully recovered from his illness. The British team will also have Sergio Henao (2nd in 2013), Wout Poels (top-10 in 2012, 2014) and Lars Petter Nordhaug (16th at Amstel). Wilco Kelderman tried to make a move stick during the Amstel Gold Race, but bad luck ensued as he when off the road into a field. He’ll have a better chance of placing high in this race with bigger climbs. LottoNL-Jumbo will also feature Paul Martens (top-20 last 4 years) and Robert Gesink (4th in 2008).

will also feature Paul Martens (top-20 last 4 years) and Robert Gesink (4th in 2008). FDJ ‘s efforts will probably revolve around Arthur Vichot (18th in 2013, team’s highest place at Amstel (42nd)). Help will come from Benoit Vaugrenard (20th in 2008).

‘s efforts will probably revolve around Arthur Vichot (18th in 2013, team’s highest place at Amstel (42nd)). Help will come from Benoit Vaugrenard (20th in 2008). Notable names from wild card teams include: Cofidis‘ Luis Angel Mate (19th at Paris-Nice), Nicolas Edet (7th at Criterium International), Rudy Molard (18th last year, 13th at De Brabantse Pijl), and Julien Simon (19th in 2012); Bretagne-Seche Environnement‘s Eduardo Sepulveda (4th at San Luis); Roompot‘s Maurits Lammertink (21st at Amstel, 8th at De Brabantse Pijl); Wanty-Groupe Gobert‘s Enrico Gasparotto (11th in 2012, 8th at Amstel); Europcar‘s Pierre Rolland (Vuelta a Castilla y Leon winner) and Yukiya Arashiro (12th at De Brabantse Pijl); MTN-Qhubeka‘s Kristian Sbaragli (20th at Amstel, 18th at De Brabantse Pijl).

My Top Ten:

Alejandro Valverde – Movistar Dan Martin – GarminDale Michal Kwiatkowski – EQS Daniel Moreno – Katusha Sergio Henao – Sky Philippe Gilbert – BMC Enrico Gasparotto – Wanty-Groupe Gobert Julian Arredondo – Trek Rui Costa – Lampre Rinaldo Nocentini -AG2R

– Edited to reflect confirmed startlist