Preview: Fleche Wallone 2013

Can the World Champion Philippe Gilbert succeed on home roads or will Peter Sagan bounce back and win again in the 77th FlÃ¨che-Wallonne

Wednesday April 17th | Binche > Huy – 205 km

ASO Press Release
The world champion Philippe Gilbert is one of a group of riders at ease climbing the final ascent up the Mur de Huy, and firmly intends to show this on his home turf. However, Peter Sagan has now thrown a possible spanner in the works and will try to beat him in the FlÃ¨che Wallonne.

The status of Philippe Gilbert fluctuates from week to week and year to year. During the week of the Ardennes Classics, his every move is watched with hawk-like intent and commented upon in fine detail. The native of LiÃ¨geâ€™s form is not only a subject of discussion for his supporters or critics, but for his rivals it is also information of strategic importance that can determine how they ride the race.

In this domain, the standard is still the one set during the 2011 season, when â€œPhil Gilâ€ started the FlÃ¨che Wallonne having already triumphed on the Amstel Gold Race and FlÃ¨che BrabanÃ§onne, but also on a stage of the Tour of the Algarve, a stage of Tirreno-Adriatico and the Strade Bianche.

In comparison with such a sequence, his intermediate results in 2013 appear to be somewhat slim pickings, with two missed opportunities, on the penultimate stage of Paris-Nice and in FlÃ¨che BrabanÃ§onne. On the Mur de Huy, Sylvain Chavanel will not be there to get in his way, but Peter Sagan, in the condition he is in will be a formidable challenger. Last yearâ€™s experience serves as a reminder that even with a slightly less than impressive finishing time, Gilbert still managed to climb onto the podium (in 3rd place).

In the Amstel Gold Race, the World champion was able to take a close look at the competition that will be waiting for him on the Mur de Huy. Whilst the winner on the Cauberg, Roman Kreuziger, will almost certainly be assisting his team leader Alberto Contador (3rd in 2010), the rivals surrounding him last Sunday in the sprint for 2nd place could again be in attendance, whether it is the experienced Alejandro Valverde (2nd), the semi-revelation of Michal Kwiatkowski (4th) or Sergio Henao (6th) or, to a lesser extent, Simon Gerrans (3rd).

What remains to be seen is whether the title holder, Joaquim Rodriguez, who fell in the Amstel, will still be among the contenders for a place on the podium on the final climb up â€˜The Wallâ€™. We are very likely to see Michael Albasini, 2nd in 2012, and also Daniel Moreno, Igor Anton, or even Richie Porte, the most noteworthy novice in the race.

Speaking of Porte, he leads a team with British riders Joshua Edmondson and Jonathon Tiernan-Locke.

Â TEAMS & KEY RIDERS

Orica GreenEdge (OGE) : Albasini (Swi), Clarke (Aus), Simon Gerrans
Lotto-Belisol (LTB) : Bellemakers (NL)
Omega Pharma-Quick Step (OPQ) : Kwiatkowski (Pol)
Accent Jobs – Wanty (AJW) : Scheirlinckx (Bel)
Crelan-Euphony (LAN) : Juodvalkis (Ltu)
Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise (TSV) : De Vreese (Bel)
Colombia – Coldeportes (COL) : Ospina (Col)
Team Saxo Bank (SAX) : Contador (Spa), Kreuziger (Rtc), Kroon (NL)
Euskaltel – Euskadi (EUS) : Anton (Spa), Sicard (Fra)
Movistar Team (MOV) : Valverde (Spa), Costa (Por)
BMC Racing Team (BMC) : Gilbert (Bel)
Garmin-Barracuda (GRM) : Hesjedal (Can), Dekker (NL), D.Martin (Irl)
AG2R La Mondiale (ALM) : Nocentini (Ita), Bardet, Gadret (Fra)
FDJ-Big Mat (FDJ) : Jeannesson, Vichot (Fra)
Sojasun (SAU) : Simon, Hivert (Fra)
Sky Procycling (SKY) : Porte (Aus), Henao, Uran (Col)
Lampre – Merida (LAM) : Cunego, Ulissi (Ita)
Cannondale (LIQ) : Sagan, Moser (Ita)
Astana Pro Team (AST) : Gasparotto (Ita), Iglinskiy (Rus)
RadioShack-Leopard (RLT) : A.Schleck (Lux), Monfort (Bel), Gallopin (Fra)
Blanco Pro Cycling Team (BLA) : Mollema (NL), Nordhaug (Nor)
Vacansoleil – DCM (VCD) : De Gendt (Bel), Westra (NL)
Team Argos-Shimano (ARG) : Geschke (Ger), Barguil (Fra)
Katusha Team (KAT) : Rodriguez (Esp), Moreno (Ita)
IAM Cycling (IAM) : Denifl (Aut)