After finishing third in the Amstel Gold Race and ninth in the cold and wet Flèche Wallonne, Benoot is full of confidence for the fourth cycling monument of the season. "I hope to be back at the start on Sunday with good legs. Liège-Bastogne-Liège is a special race for me. My condition is good; I felt it on Sunday and Wednesday and hope to have the same feeling coming Sunday."

These are special weeks for the 30-year-old Belgian. Not only because he has been living from one classic to the next since the opening weekend, but also because of his newborn daughter. "Of course, I am very proud and happy. Everything is going well with mother and daughter; otherwise, I wouldn't be here. As a family, we have sacrificed a lot so I could be in good shape during this time. That’s why we decided I would race the Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday and Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday."

Benoot will be joined in Liège by Valter, who is looking forward to his second participation in La Doyenne. For the Hungarian, the race, which includes La Redoute, Côte de Stockeu and Roche aux Faucons, is his first race of the season after the Tour de Catalunya. "Last year's edition was one of the toughest races I've ever done", Valter said of the 250-plus-kilometre race. "I have a little more experience now, so I hope to improve on last year's edition. I'm happy to help Tiesj. He is in good shape, so I want to help him get a good result again."

For the Hungarian champion, it is also a good preparation for the upcoming Giro d'Italia. "I've been training at altitude in Tenerife for the last few weeks, so it's just a matter of waiting to see how I have come out of this training. I am in good shape, and we have had a strong training block. I'm looking forward to racing again and see this race as an extra preparation for the Giro."

Selection Team Visma | Lease a Bike: Tiesj Benoot, Loe van Belle, Milan Vader, Julien Vermote, Ben Tulett, Attila Valter and Tosh van der Sande.