After kicking off in Flanders, the peloton will head on to the Grand Prix Samyn for their first Wallonian test this season.  With a different parcours compared to previous editions, the Belgian race will be even more difficult.  

“The organizer decided to have a new course with several pavé sections just one or two kilometers from the finish,” IAM Cycling directeur sportif Thierry Marichal explained.  “The race will not be the same, that’s for sure.  There is a very good chance that it won’t end in a bunch sprint this time.  In any case, if we hope to gain a result at Samyn, we will need to have luck on our side.”  
 
For the Grand Prix Samyn, which will be a less open race this year, the IAM Cycling team has two very good options. 

“Before, with the old route, anyone could win Samyn,” Marichal continued.  “But now with this course change, it is clearly going to be more selective.  Because of that, we have decided to focus on Jonas Van Genechten and Matteo Pelucchi.  With those riders, we have two fantastic cards, and we will chose which one to play at the most opportune moment. Le Samyn remains a great race to win.  After the opening weekend in Flanders, I think all the teams will want to do well in Wallonia.”

Riders:
Stef Clement (Ned)
Jonathan Fumeaux (S)
Sondre Holst Enger (Nor)
Simon Pellaud (S)
Matteo Pelucchi (It)
Patrick Schelling (S)
Jonas Van Genechten (Bel)