Michal Kwiatkowski, world champion, has told reporters that his pick for Liege-Bastogne-Liege is Alejandro Valverde, second last year when the young Pole podiumed his first Monument one spot behind in third.

“He’s the most experienced rider, he knows how to prepare for such a hard week,” Kwiatkowski told reporters. “I would have loved to be in shape on Wednesday but I couldn’t make it and that’s experience I needed for the future. Valverde already has that and I think that he will be in the same big shape on Sunday.”

Kwiatkowski suffered in Fleche Wallonne in midweek, but he says he is more relaxed now and has fully recovered after taking Amstel Gold seven days ago.

“I feel more relaxed than compared to the day after the Amstel Gold Race, so I should be better,” he explained. “I feel more and more freshness on the bike, so that’s better. I hope that it’s enough for such a long race because you need to be in condition. I think I’ve had enough recovery before Liège.”