Julian Alaphilippe and Philippe Gilbert will lead a strong Quick-Step Floors team to Flèche Wallonne tomorrow, the second race of the Ardennes Classics.

Victorious here seven years ago on his way to a rare Ardennes triple, Gilbert will return to the start for the first time since 2016 alongside Alaphilippe, who rose to prominence at his Flèche Wallonne debut in 2015, when he finished runner-up. The Frenchman, who came close to victory also two seasons ago, was the highest-placed Quick-Step Floors rider in last Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race and will look to be again in the mix.

Luxembourg Champion Bob Jungels, neo-pro James Knox, Vuelta al Pais Vasco stage winner Enric Mas, Maximilian Schachmann – who got his maiden victory in March, at the Volta a Catalunya – and Pieter Serry will round out the team for the 82nd edition of the Belgian race.

“The ten climbs tackled before the final ascent of the Mur de Huy will make up for a tough race, harder than last year,” said Quick-Step Floors Directeur Sportif Davide Bramati.

“The presence of Côte de la Vecquée and Côte de la Redoute means things will be more demanding in the first part of the course than at the past editions, when the action did not start until late in the race. We were aggressive in the first of the Ardennes Classics and we will have the same approach in Flèche Wallonne.

“The boys are in high spirits and know what they have to do, so we are confident we’ll be there when it will come down to crunch time, fighting for another solid result.”

Quick-Step Floors team for La Flèche Wallonne 1.UWT
Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Philippe Gilbert (BEL)
Bob Jungels (LUX)
James Knox (GBR)
Enric Mas (ESP)
Maximilian Schachmann (GER)
Pieter Serry (BEL)

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