Cycling: Julian Alaphilippe has won the Flèche Wallonne for the third time in his career. The French world champion attacked at the right moment and was able to intercept Primoz Roglic just before the finish line.
Alaphilippe intercepts Roglic
The world champion wins at the Mur de Huy. Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) was unbeatable in the 85th edition of the Flèche Wallonne. After the start in Charleroi, there was a distance of 193,6 kilometers to the Mur de Huy, which had already been crossed twice before. And then, as expected, there was a showdown in the last 500 meters. Primois Roglic (Jumbo – Visma) – competing in the Walloon Arrow for the first time – went on the offensive too early. With 300 meters to climb, the Slovene finally ran out of breath. Julian Alaphilippe waited 50 meters longer and caught last year's Tour runner-up just before the finish line. Old master struggled to get a respectable third place Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). Best German was Maximilian schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe) in tenth place.
Last year's winner Hirschi is not allowed to start
8 breakaways have sought their salvation on the offensive. Diego Rose (Arkea – Samsic), Alex Howes (EF-Nippo), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto – Soudal), Louis Vervaeke (Alpecin-Fenix), Sander Army (Qhubeka – Assos), Maurits Lammertink (Intermarché – Wanty), Simone Velasco (Gazprom – RusVelo) and Julian Mertens (Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise) didn't have a chance to really fight for victory. The UAE team and thus also last year's winners were not allowed to take part at all due to a positive corona test Marc Hirschi from Switzerland.
Final in Muro de Huy in Flecha Valona 2021. Victoria for Julian Alaphilippe. Lo acompañan en el podio Primoz Roglic y Alejandro Valverde. #FlechaValona #FlecheWallonne 🎥 @sporza_koers pic.twitter.com/xJe4CTy6QH
- Dany Pro Cycling (@DanyProCycling) April 21, 2021
Van der Breggen with seventh win in a row
In women's cycling, the Flèche Wallonne took place for the 24th time today. And almost a third of those events has Anna van der breggen (SD Worx) won. This time, too, the Dutchwoman simply couldn't be beat on the Mur de Huy. With her seventh win in a row, she dismissed the Pole Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon – SRAM) and the Italian Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek – Segafredo) on your marks.
Van der Breggen controls the muur en wint for the 7e keer op rij #WP pic.twitter.com/bxlaAWxtkj
— Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) April 21, 2021