It is possible, however, difficult to imagine more unfortunate Ardennes campaign than the one Joaquim Rodriguez is currently experiencing, as one of the Katushe leaders for the hilly classics came down in both Amstel Gold Race and Fleche Wallonne.

The Fleche Wallonne finale suits Rodriguez down to the ground, but the 34-year old Catalan was expected to ride in a support of his team-mate and defending champion Daniel Moreno, suffering painful consequences of his high speed crash which pulled him out of the Amstel Gold Race.

Unfortunately, the 34-year old Katusha rider was once again involved in an accident while he was riding at the back of the peloton towards the Fleche finale on the Mur de Huy. Rodriguez managed to get back on his bike and eventually finished the race in 70th place, over four minutes down to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), what was a part of a highly disappointing showing from the Russian team which claimed last two victories in that race.

"He's ok for Sunday, we think, but it was not good – when he crashed the upper part of his body once again got hit the hardest," Katusha sports director José Azevedo told Cyclingnews.

"Somebody went down right in front of him in the crash and he couldn't avoid going down, there was nowhere for him to go."

"He could finish, but these hard knocks take it out of you and he had not had an easy start to the race, either," Azevedo added, pointing out that the ultra-fast pace of this year's Flèche Wallonne, run off at an average of 43.144 kmh, did not exactly help Rodriguez to ease his way back into the action.

Despite suffering from consequences of two highly unfortunate crashes, Rodriguez is expected to participate in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege on Sunday.

"but this latest accident wasn't great for somebody who's already had one big crash very recently. We hope he'll be ok," Azevedo said.

Moreno was Katusha’s best finisher in the Fleche Wallonne, crossing the line in disappointing 9th place.