The race has very much settled into a holding pattern. The gap is 4-40, and neither going up nor down at the moment.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
EF Education-EasyPostNL have also had a presence at the front of the peloton, indicating their ambitions. Ben Healy, pictured here in the Irish national champion’s jersey, is their obvious contender, but at Amstel Gold he switched to a domestique role for Marijn van den Berg – and could do the same today for Richard Carapaz, who is the kind of pure climber that might relish the Mur de Huy.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
150KM TO GO
We’re a quarter of the way into the race, and things are calm for now. The break’s lead is 4-30, and the next climb isn’t for another 40km.
The leaders are done climbing the Côte d’Yvoir, with Juaristi the first to the top. Next, the riders will approach the finishing circuit, where the Mur de Huy and Côte d’Ereffe will each be taken on four times.
Lidl-Trek are also contributing to the chase, for their man Mattias Skjelmose. He’s been in great form so far this season, and proved last year that he can do the Mur de Huy by sprinting for second up it last year, beaten only by Tadej Pogačar.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
160KM TO GO
The Mur de Huy might be the race’s famous climb, but there are others to be tackled too – the first of which, Côte d’Yvoir, is coming in just a few kilometres.
It’s quite cold out, as indicated by the riders’ attire. There has also been some talk of rain, but it remains dry for now.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
170KM TO GO
4-30 now from the leaders to the peloton, where it’s relaxed for now. Van der Beken sat up and has been reabsorbed.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Here are the six riders up the road – James Whelan, Igor Chzhan, Johan Meens, Alan Jousseaume, Lilian Calmejane and Txomin Juaristi.
Ineos Grenadiers have taken control of the peloton, embracing the notion that Tom Pidcock is favourite for today.
Before the start, Pidcock explained how “there was not much time to celebrate” after his Amstel Gold win.
“A few guys changed their flights, we had a nice dinner, but when you come to these races you know there are three this week.
“[Amstel Gold] was tough, but I recovered well. I’m recovering really fast at the moment, and I feel good. I know the legs are good, today’s a tricky race. It’s almost tactical this climb, I’ve never got it right before. So we’ll see.
“My best result [at Flèche Wallonne] was sixth, in my first year where I came off quite a turbulent few days after Amstel Gold, when my head wasn’t in the right place. And last year I came in super-far back. I can definitely do better than that, but it’s going to be difficult to win, like every race now.”
180KM TO GO
Over three minutes now for the lead group, but they’re still not hanging about – so much so that Van der Beken doesn’t look like he’s going to make it. He’s drifted to no-man’s land, about halfway between both groups.
Meens and Chzhan have joined the lead group on an uncategorised uphill they’re climbing, but have dropped Van der Beken, who has yet to make the junction.
190KM TO GO
Now nearly two minutes for the leaders – it seems the peloton is happy to let this one go.
There are a few more riders out of the peloton trying to join the four leaders – Igor Chzhan, Aaron Van den Beken and Johan Meens.
The peloton seems happy with this group already, with their lead already having grown to over a minute.
Attacks are being made, and four riders have a small gap: Lilain Calmejane, Txomin Juaristi, James Whelan and Alan Jousseaume.
199KM TO GO
We’re off!
Another top tip is Marc Hirschi. Along with Dylan Teuns, he’s one of only two former winners taking part, and for the first time in a while is starting to show some signs of the form he was in four years ago when he triumphed here.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If there is an outright favourite, then it’s probably Tom Pidcock. In the absence of Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel, he’s the puncheur with the most star quality, and marked himself out as the man to beat by winning Amstel Gold on Sunday.
The riders are in the neutralised zone and will begin racing shortly.
The sense of predictability has led to many repeat winners in recent years — Alejandro Valverde won four in succession between 2014 – 2017, while Julian Alaphilippe triumphed in three of the following four editions. But this year’s race looks very open, missing defending champion Tadej Pogačar and lacking an outright favourite.
While most of the classics change over the years, be it in terms of route or tactics,La Flèche Wallonne remains constant. The Mur de Huy has been the race’s finish for four whole decades, and virtually every year the race comes down to a sprint up it.
We’re in the Ardennes for the second leg of Ardennes Week, following last Sunday’s exciting and unpredictable Amstel Gold Race.
Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ live coverage fo Flèche Wallonne.
