Michael Woods (Israel Startup Nation), who was one step short of the podium in La Flèche Wallonne, expressed his frustration that his positioning on the lower slopes of the Mûr de Huy had robbed him of a great chance for success.

Woods, who finished third last year, attacked with 350m to go when Primosz Roglic (Jumbo Visma), the eventual winner Julien Alaphilippe (Detunink-Quickstep), and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) accelerated to the back of the line of riders and They caught up.

"It's certainly frustrating. Especially when the team ran so well for me," Woods said in a team statement. [Christo [Neerlands] put me in a really good position and at the last minute I decided not to follow him.

"But that wasn't the original plan. I was going to follow Christo, but I regret not doing so. Because I got into a bit of a struggle, made a lot of mistakes, got pushed around a lot, and ended up in a really bad position.

Once the 34-year-old secured a clear path ahead, he quickly left the rest behind and made a powerful surge up the climbing wall to catch up with the leading trio. However, starting far back, he was unable to catch up to Alaphilippe, Roglic, and Valverde. [It was enough to wonder what might have happened had they followed Nilans, who took the lead with 700 meters to go and appeared to be looking back to check his teammate's position.

"It really leaves a bitter taste in my mouth now because I felt like I was better than fourth place today," Woods said.

The strength of the Israel Startup Nation team and Wood's form are positive signs ahead of Sunday's final Ardennes Classic, where Woods has finished in the top 10 on four previous occasions, including second in 2018.

"I'm proud of how my legs are feeling, I'm proud of my team, and everyone is looking forward to Liege-Bastogne-Liege," Woods said.

"Liège-Bastogne-Liège is an even bigger competition for us. It's a monument. No Canadian has ever won at the Monument, and with my legs, I think I have a chance to do well there."