Pogacar and eight others; this is the theorem from which all the fantamanagers will start in deploying the formation in view of the Freccia Vallone 2023 ; a race that almost offers few surprises and you decide in the finale, the tremendous tear of the Wall of Huy , 1.3km at 9.3% average gradient.

It's no mystery, Tadej Pogacar arrives at the start of the Freccia with the aim of winning all three Ardennes classics in the same year, the only ones to succeed were Davide Rebellin in 2004 and Philippe Gilbert in 2011 . At the Freccia Walloon the prediction seems more unbalanced in favor of the Slovenian, while for the Liège-Bastogne-Liege there is great anticipation for the duel with Remco Evenepoel .  

Few seem to be able to worry Pogacar on the Muro di Huy, but at the start there will still be riders capable of doing well such as David Gaudu (Groupama FDJ), the Colombian Sergio Higuita (Bora Hansgrohe), an explosive rider and suitable for final races like this or Benoit Cosnefroy (AG23 Citroen), who has always performed well at Freccia.  

All eyes are also on Tom Pidcock , third in the Amstel and did not appear able to beat Pogacar, but the shorter duration of the race (194.3 km) could give the British of Team Ineos a few more chances.  

Giulio Ciccone could also do well, he appeared in good condition in the first part of the season and has the explosiveness necessary to assert himself.  

Then there will be strong riders on the climbs such as Mikel Landa (Bahrein Victorious), Enric Mas (Team Movistar), Jai Hindley (Bora Hansgrohe) and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis).  

Attention also to Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) who after winning the Giro di Sicilia confirmed his excellent physical condition at the Amstel Gold Race , as well as Ben Healy (EF), second in the Dutch race and a real surprise at the start of the season .  

Soudal Quick Step , waiting to field Evenepoel in Liège, will rely on Andrea Bagioli and Mauro Schmid , while Jumbo Visma should focus on Tiesj Benoot and Attila Valter .

All runners who will try to worry Pogacar, for a race that seems to have an obvious script, but with a final still to be written. Also because, at Fantacycling, it will be important to get the placed riders right, as much as line up the winner ; that's where you'll be able to make the difference, especially if there are big surprises in the top ten, just like what happened last Sunday at the Amstel Gold Race.

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency