The Ardennes Classics await Team Bahrain McLaren in the next few days, opening with ‘La Flèche Wallonne’ and its iconic ‘Mur de Huy’ on Wednesday, September 30th.
“We will head to Belgium with a squad that has a mix of youth and experience” Team Bahrain McLaren Sports Director Gorazd Stangelj comments, introducing the lineup “Santiago Buitrago, Kevin Inkelaar and Stevie Williams will be at their first appearance on this legendary race and they will have a great opportunity to show their qualities in the role of helpers. We will play our cards in the different phases of the race, counting on the talented Matej Mohoric and three skilled athletes on this kind of course, as Wout Poels, Dylan Teuns and our leader Mikel Landa. The race is technically very demanding and we need to be focused all day”.
On this rescheduled 2020 racing season, this Autumn edition of the Flèche Wallonne will come after the Tour de France and the World Championships. “There will be many riders at the start that competed on both events, included me,” Mikel Landa says “For this reason more than ever having good legs can make the difference. If you finished well the Tour and showed to be in shape at the Worlds, can be an advantage. I feel good and although the Mur de Huy suits more puncheurs, I’m motivated and I will try to do a good race, looking for a result among the best riders”.
In fact, the Mur de Huy is expected to be the final judge of the race. The steep climb of 1300 meters length at 9.6% will be tackled three times. Besides a new start, in the town of Herve, the course (202km) will feature also some other changes like the ascents included in the final lap. “We will do a recon ride of the finale. As roads will be narrow and steep, riders have to be careful to take the good position on this decisive moment of the actions” Stangelj adds.
The Flèche will be the home race for Dylan Teuns, who was on the podium in 2017: “I’m looking forward every year to the Ardennes Classics races as both Flèche and Liège fit me well. I’m also really motivated riding on my home soil”.
Team Bahrain McLaren lineup for the Flèche Wallonne:
Santiago Buitrago Sanchez, Kevin Inkelaar, Mikel Landa, Matej Mohoric, Wout Poels, Dylan Teuns, Stevie Williams.
