The race – one of the last appointments before the Worlds – takes place between 22-26 July.
For the first time since last month’s Nationals, our team will be in action in Belgium at the 50th edition of the Tour de Wallonie, a race where we triumphed twice in the general classification, on top of that winning a total of fifteen stages.
The parcours gives chances to both the fast men and those packing some punch, but despite the many opportunities they will be presented with there’s a strong chance to have the general classification decided by the stage four individual time trial – a hilly 32.7km test against the clock held around Mons, where the gaps could be significant.
Soudal Quick-Step will come to the start in Huy with a strong and versatile seven-man squad consisting of Andrea Bagioli, Davide Ballerini, Coppi e Bartali winner Mauro Schmid, Florian Sénéchal, Jannik Steimle, Stan Van Tricht and Mauri Vansevenant.
“We look forward to five days of hard racing. The team comes from an altitude training camp in Val di Fassa, the guys are motivated, really confident and ready to resume competition. Mauro will be our man for the general classification, but also Jannik can try and be up there. When it comes to the stages, we have several riders who are capable of going for a good result, so we hope for a solid week and a strong outing of the team”, said sports director Iljo Keisse.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
Mauri Vansevenant 