RIDERS TO WATCH
TOM PIDCOCK
INEOS GRENADIERS
The Ardennes are the perfect hunting ground for the Yorkshire rider, whose outlandish ability to climb and descend is a prerequisite for success on this sort of terrain. He’s already won Strade Bianche this season, which is very similar in terms of climbing, while third at Amstel last weekend shows he’s fully recovered from his concussion-enforced racing break.
Rider rating ★★★★
DAVID GAUDU
(GROUPAMA-FDJ)
A promising start to the season plus a good track record in the Ardennes equals a great chance of contending for at least a podium place at LBL for the 26-year-old French climber. Third here in 2021, and sixth in 2019, the Groupama-fdj man has shown good form already this year, with second on GC at Paris-nice and a win in the mountains classification at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var in February.
Rider rating ★★★
ANNEMIEK VAN VLEUTEN
MOVISTAR
Retiring at the end of the season and yet showing little sign of slowing down, the 40-year-old Dutch rider will be eyeing this race keenly with a view to completing the hat-trick. She won last year, and in 2019. Another victory is far from a foregone conclusion though: “Winning has become harder,” she pointed out after last year’s victory. But the fact this will be her final crack will focus her even more.
Rider rating ★★★★
DEMI VOLLERING
SD WORX
This young compatriot of van Vleuten has risen fast through the ranks; she has already won Liège, back in 2021, aged just 24, and won Amstel Gold last weekend. Ominously for her rivals, she’s had her best season start to date, also winning Strade Bianche and coming second in De Ronde behind Lotte Kopecky. She could well prove to be van Vleuten’s biggest threat in the hills of the Ardennes this year.
Rider rating ★★★★★