Last year’s world number one, Alejandro Valverde, was unbeatable on the Mur de Huy for the second year running at La Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday.

Having also finished second at the Amstel Gold Race and won three stages on his way to second overall at the Volta a Catalunya, it’s fair to say Valverde has peaked nicely for the spring Classics.

A strong Movistar team will also include Nairo Quintana, but it is Valverde who will take centre stage on Sunday, bidding to add a third Liege-Bastogne-Liege to his palmares. Only Eddy Merckx and Moreno Argentin have won more than three.

The Spaniard’s form on the Huy suggests he is well placed to take a hat-trick of wins. Last time out Valverde was beaten in the final sprint by Simon Gerrans, with Michal Kwiatkowski third – the same three riders to end up on the World Championship podium.

Amstel Gold Race winner Kwiatkowski will be among Valverde’s chief rivals on Sunday, but defending champion Gerrans is still returning to form after injury.

Form guide

Best Liege-Bastogne-Liege result: Winner (2006, 2008)

2015 season highlights: Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana (winner), Tour of Oman (third overall), Strade Bianche (third), Volta a Catalunya (three stage wins, second overall), Amstel Gold Race (second), La Fleche Wallonne (winner).

Current UCI WorldTour ranking: Second