Over the last three years, Tony Gallopin has gone from a rider with potential to succeed to one of the stars in the bunch, with wins in the Tour de France, Paris-Nice and Clasica San Sebastian over three seasons.

His win in San Sebastian 2013 showed he has great potential in the one-day races, highlighted by third and fourth in the last two Brabantse Pijls, 3rd in GP Montreal last year and sixth at Amstel Gold this year have shown he ahs made great strides in those races. Now the 26-year-old Frenchman is aiming for a Monument win on Sunday’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege after skipping Fleche Wallonne in midweek.

“Doing that was a good choice, because I want to go for it at Liège-Bastogne-Liège,” Gallopin told reporters.

“I’m not really sure what kind of scenario could unfold there, but I’ll just hang on with the best and try and do as well as possible for as long as possible. I like Liège more than Amstel, the climbs are longer and it’s less of a nervous race. Those sustained efforts are what I’ve been working on hardest.”

With his Lotto-Soudal team not having one favourite, but three men who can do well in the race in Gallopin, Tim Wellens and Jelle Vanendert, they can attack and play with their options as they are outsiders and aren’t expected to control the race. Gallopin sees the options as an advantage to himself and his team.

“We will be there in the role of outsiders, able to do something collectively as well as individually,” Gallopin told Belgian daily Sudpresse.

“With three leaders, that reduces the pressure on each rider because even if you have a bad day, you know the other riders should be up there.”

With three previous participations in La Doyenne and last year’s 35th being his best result, Gallopin doesn’t have a reference point for the race but says its up to him to make one in 2015.

“It’s true that I lack reference points for Liege, even if I’ve done it three times before. I’ve always been lacking that little bit extra to shine. This time I’ve done everything I can to be good for the finish in Ans. At 26, I’ve reached an age where I should be able to fight for a Monument. It’s up to us – me, Jelle and Tim – to try to upset the established hierarchy [in the Ardennes Classics].”