This Sunday's Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which concludes the Ardennes campaign, features the famous climbs of La Redoute and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons.
 

Team Giant-Alpecin can look back on a successful classics campaign, with two victories, as the team aims for its first top-10 finish this season in an Ardennes classic. With the 26th place of Tom Dumoulin (NED) in last Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race and another 26th place for Warren Barguil (FRA) in Wednesday’s La Flèche Wallonne, this objective seems within reach. 

To support Dumoulin and Barguil, the team will look to a strong Georg Preidler (AUT), who has been on a good run in recent Ardennes races, as well as the experienced Simon Geschke (GER), who will make his comeback after recovering from a fractured collarbone.

The lineup is completed by Lawson Craddock (USA), Caleb Fairly (USA), Johannes Fröhlinger (GER) and Thierry Hupond (FRA).
 

“My performance in the Amstel Gold Race was a disappointment for me. I really felt good in the days leading up to the race, but my legs weren’t as good as I hoped during the race," Dumoulin said.

“As planned, I didn’t start in Flèche-Wallonne in order to fully focus on Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I was a little tired last week, but I was fit enough to complete a good training ride on Wednesday and I hope to be in good shape for Sunday.  

“The weather forecast predicts a little rain for Sunday, which may result in a more open and unpredictable race.

“The crucial phase will probably start at the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, and the race will be decided on the Saint Nicolas during the final 10 km.”

“I hope we can continue the good performance that we’ve shown as a team during the first two Ardennes classics," Barguil said.

“During the Amstel Gold Race I was missing some intensity but I was still able to assist Tom [Dumoulin].

"In Flèche Wallonne my teammates really made it easy for me, but sadly my legs weren’t good enough in the finale. I hope they will be better on Sunday.   

“On Sunday I expect a hard race, with La Redoute as the starting point of an important section. Many of the riders will look at the team of top favorite Valverde to control the race. This makes it easier for us, and as a team we will not have to take the initiative.”

“It is obvious that we will continue to aim for a good result with Dumoulin and Barguil. I am very happy to have Simon Geschke back on board, as his experience in these kinds of races is very valuable for us," coach Aike Visbeek said.

“I expect a difficult race. From the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons on, the race will break loose and we will try to join one of the attacks that will take place there.  

“Both Dumoulin and Barguil will aim for the finale, and then we will see who has the better legs. Georg Preidler  is doing very well, and I hope he will be able to support the guys until the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons.

“Today we had a good recon of the final 90 km, including all the critical climbs.”