No Alaphilippe and Evenepoel for Soudal - Quick-Step at Flèche Wallone - Bagioli, Schmid and Knox lead result hunt

Soudal - Quick-Step are a team that have fond memories at Fléche Wallone, with Julian Alaphilippe having recently won three editions. That won't happen this year as the team's leaders will be absent, but the Belgian team comes with several cards.

Andrea Bagioli, Mauro Schmid and James Knox all showed good form at the recent Itzulia Basque Country and both will be well suited to the short explosive efforts of the second Ardennes classic. Part of Remco Evenepoel's Giro block is already back to racing as Ilan van Wilder, Louis Vervaeke and Pieter Serry are also set to take to the start line, in a lineup completed by Dries Devenyns.

“We can be confident going into Flèche Wallonne. Andrea put in some solid displays last week, Mauro and James are also in good form, while the likes of Pieter, Ilan and Louis come after a solid block of training," team DS Geert van Bondt. "On top of that, we also have Dries, who knows these roads and can guide the team. Many squads will try to control the race and bring their riders in a good position at the bottom of the Mur de Huy, where everything will be decided, but we believe in our chances and hope to do a good race”

Soudal - Quick-Step for Flèche Wallone:

Andrea Bagioli, Dries Devenyns, James Knox, Mauro Schmid, Pieter Serry, Ilan Van Wilder and Louis Vervaeke.