Alejandro Valverde is favourite #1. The last two editions he outperformed his competition in the Fleche Wallonne, just like he did in 2006. So it is save to say he and the Wall of Huy are on very good terms. He will be challenged by Degenkolb, who out-powered the Spaniard on a steep wall in the Dubai Tour, world champion Michal Kwiatkowski, Peter Sagan and Greg Van Avermaet, who took a stage with a super-steep finish in the recent Tirreno-Adriatico.
Other likely contenders are Joaquim Rodriguez, the winner of the Fleche Wallone 2012, and Simon Gerrans, winner of last year’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Daniel Navarro was victorious in a 2014 Vuelta-stage with a short and super-steep finale, while Dan Martin indicated before the start of the Tour de France that he aims at winning the Huy-stage. Not without reason, the Irishman finished second in last year’s Flech Wallone.
*** Alejandro Valverde, Michal Kwiatkowki, Peter Sagan
** Daniel Martin, Greg Van Avermaet, Joaquim Rodríguez
* Simon Gerrans, John Degenkolb, Daniel Navarro
Tour de France 2015 stage 3: Route maps, videos, and more
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Route and profile Mûr de Huy
Climb details 3rd stage
Streetview steilste stuk Mûr de Huy
Start and finish at Google Maps
