Etixx – Quick-Step has announced the selection that will participate in Tour de Wallonie, a five-stage race from July 25th until the 29th of July. This one-week race includes opportunities for Classics style riders, as well as sprinters.
Stage 1, 190.7km in distance features eight climbs between the start in Wanze and the finish in Hannut. Many of these climbs are in the earlier moments of the parcours. However, the profile flattens out in the final kilometers and favors a sprint finish.
Stage 2, 181.4km from Beaufays to Bassenge, there are nine climbs and a local circuit of 30 kilometers. The final climb is at kilometer 166 of the stage. The profile features steeper climbs in comparison to Stage 1, but the finale is again flatter than the other moments of the stage.
Stage 3, which is the longest stage of the race at 207km from Bastogne to Namur, could be a day for the Classics riders. There are ten ascents and an uphill finish.
Stage 4, 164.6km from Waterloo to Quaregnon, has a very flat start. However, there are then four climbs close together from kilometer 133 until the 154th kilometer, as part of two local laps. The finish is flat, but there is a chance a breakaway stays away or the peloton is reduced.
Finally, 167.3km Stage 5, from Chimay to Thuin, is another flatter start with plenty of up-and-down in the final kilometers. There is a three-lap, 12km circuit, and it heavily features Mur de Thuin. Mur de Thuin is climbed four times. This is another finale for the Classics style riders, with an uphill finish in Thuin.