While many big names are either racing the last two stages of the UAE Tour or starting their classic season this weekend in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Cune Brussel Cune, Julien Alaphilippe of Detuninck-Quickstep will be near Valence in southern France He heads there to start the European season with the Von Ardèche Classic on Saturday and the Drome Classic on Sunday. [Trek-Segafredo's Vincenzo Nibali and Bauke Mollema and EF Pro Cycling's Alberto Bettiol will participate.

"We have a good team for the weekend and it gives us some options for a good result," said Davide Bramati, sport director of Dečuninck-Quick Step, on the team website.

"Of course, Julien is our leader and this course suits him perfectly.

Alaphilippe will be supported by Dries Devenyns, winner of this year's Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Remi Cavagna, Mikel Honoré, and newcomers young Joao Almeida, Andrea Bajori, and Ian Garrison.

"These two races are not easy and there is hardly any rest.

Lilian Calmejane of Total Direct Energie will be back to defend her title in the Von Ardèche Classic, which starts and finishes in Guilherin-Grange, just outside Valence.

The following day, the Drome Classic is a 200-km course that starts and finishes in Riblon-sur-Drome, somewhat closer to Montelimar, with most of the climbs packed into the last 50 km. 2019 was won by Alexis Vuillermoz, but the Frenchman has not returned to defend his title and the season has not yet begun.

Meanwhile, Vuillermoz's AG2R La Mondiale teammate Romain Bardet, who was scheduled to compete in both races, will only compete in Sunday's Drome Classic.