Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) has also shown his impressive form at the Fleche Wallonne. With a late attack, he broke away from his companions at the Muur in Huy and celebrated his second victory in Huy after 2006. Second place went to Irishman Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) ahead of Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep).
"I haven't had much luck in the Ardennes in recent years", according to Valverde, "Although I was often on the podium, I couldn't celebrate victory."
After an extremely hectic and fast first hour of racing, a trio around the Lithuanian Ramunas Navardauskas managed to break away from the field and keep it in check for a long time. In the end, however, even a maximum lead of almost seven minutes was not enough for the trio to make life difficult for the favorites.
In the final, Martin made the strongest impression. Although he had previously fallen at the foot of the Muur, he set the pace until a few hundred meters before the end. Only then did Valverde appear - but with emphasis. For the coming Sunday, when the classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège is due, he should be one of the most important favorites.
Result