cycling: La Flèche Wallonne: Alejandro Valverde is unbeatable

Cycling: Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) is the first professional ever to win the Flèche Wallonne four times. The Spaniard prevailed superiorly against Julian Alaphilippe and Dan Martin (both Etixx – Quick-Step) on the wall of Huy.

With the best conditions, no wind, sun and a mild 20°C, the starters set off from the new starting point in Marche-en-Famenne on the difficult 196km to the finish in Huy in the early afternoon. The beginning of the race was quite chaotic and it took more than 30km until a first group of nine riders was able to pull away. The initiative came from Stephen Cummings (Team Dimension Data), Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto Soudal) and Silvan Dillier (BMC) followed immediately. Within a few kilometers, the new leading group gained a clear lead and the race then calmed down a bit.

In the field, unsurprisingly, Movistar and Katusha rode for their captains Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez and set the pace. With about 80km to go - the leaders were now a little over three minutes ahead - it was decided to pick up the pace and put pressure on the breakaways. Meanwhile, there were also some attacks and increased pace at the front: Above all, the strong Tosh Van der Sande and the tireless Stephen Cummings repeatedly pushed the pace.

Even though there were fortunately few falls today, Trek pro Frank Schleck got caught just before the 50km mark. Several drivers fell in a narrow passage and the Luxembourger subsequently retired with a suspected broken collarbone - get well soon from us! With the pace constantly increasing at the front, the group had now shrunk to just four riders and the field was shrinking by almost every kilometer as Movistar and Katusha continued to throw everything into the equation.

Shortly after the 20km mark, the breakaways were gone and the field came together again. Movistar was in the lead with six riders and appeared to have the situation under control when suddenly Bob Jungels (Etixx – Quick-Step) attacked. Georg Preidler (Team Giant-Alpecin) and Ion Izaguirre (Movistar) were able to cling to his rear wheel. The trio's lead quickly grew to over ten seconds, but Izaguirre ensured Movistar was in control there as well. Preidler couldn't keep up with the trio's pace for long, but Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) caught up on the field. However, with two kilometers to go in Huy, it was over and the field was back together with Katusha and Movistar back in the lead.

The expected exchange of blows then took place on the Mur de Huy. Joaquim Rodriguez attacked early but was quickly caught by Julien Alaphilippe and Dan Martin (Etixx - Quick-Step). Alejandro Valverde waited a long time, was patient and waited for his chance until he finally played his advantage in the last 100 meters, passed everyone else and became the first rider ever to celebrate his fourth victory in the Walloon Arrow.