Michael Matthews returns to La Flèche Wallonne for the first time in three years with eyes on another big performance.
The 33-year-old has been one of the most consistent riders throughout the whole spring and he once again will lead Team Jayco AlUla into a major classic, hoping to convert his strong form into a top 10 finish.
Davide de Pretto, who rode to an impressive fourth overall at Coppi e Bartali last month, will be among the riders supporting Matthews. The Italian is riding Flèche Wallonne for the first time, as is Anders Foldager who has been cutting his teeth this year at some of the biggest classics on the spring calendar.
Rounding out the squad for Wednesday’s race will be Luke Durbridge, Jan Maas, Mauro Schmid, and Lawson Craddock.
Setting out from Charleroi, just south of Brussels, the riders will take on a rolling course of 199km. The day will be marked by four tough local laps, with each one including the climbs of the Côte d’Ereffe and the brutally steep Mur de Huy.
Anders Foldager:
“It’s been really exciting to try these big races. It’s been really hard because my shape is still not 100 percent after a lot of sickness. I have learned a lot and tried to follow the more experienced guys in the bunch to see how to do things and what not to do. Michael Matthews as a leader is really focused and really professional so that’s really nice to learn from.”
Valerio Piva (Sport Director):
“Michael Matthews will be our leader. This year the parcours is changed because they took out the Cherave climb before the Mur de Huy. That means that, on paper, it will be an easier race. The result is that there is a big possibility there is going to be a big bunch at the start of the final climb up the Mur de Huy. All the riders are there to support Matthews in his mission to get a top 10 result.”
Photo: Kristof Ramon
