La Flèche Wallonne 2015: Favourites

La Flèche Wallonne is a dream come true for every puncheur with a top-finish at the super-steep Wall of Huy, a climb that will be in the upcoming Tour de France also. Cyclingstage.com brings you the main contenders for La Flèche Wallonne 2015. (Slideshow route/profile)

Michal Kwiatkowski
World Champion and on his way to a brilliant future. Still only 24 years of age, but the Ardennes classics are tailor made for the Pole. Last year he was third in La Flèche Wallonne, while he finished third in Liège-Bastogne-Liège also. Last sunday the Amstel turned out to be a Kwiat-party, with the young Pole outsprinting Valverde and Matthews after a thrilling finale.

Alejandro Valverde
Last year’s winner is in good shape and took three out of six stage wins in the Volta a Catalunya. Good sprint after a tough race and racing with a wealth of experience. Last sunday he was second in the Amstel.

Philippe Gilbert
The Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Wallone is ready for it – as always. Yet it was only once he won Flèche Wallonne in his superb year 2011.

Joaquim Rodriguez
What’s the old warrior up to? In his good years the winner of 2012 was almost unbeatable at steep finishes like the Wall of Huy. In the Tour of the Basque Country, Purito showed his good years are not over yet…

Bauke Mollema
The Dutchman delivered strong performances in the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of the Basque Country. No classic wins as of yet, but he seems reborn after his transfer to Trek. Finished fourth last year.

Daniel Martin
Former winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and always good on hilly terrain. Bested only by Valverde in 2014, a year that turned out to be plagued with disaster, but in the end he won the Tour of Lombardy.