Valverde and Alaphilippe will defend their rule at the Wall of Huy

Alejandro Valverde, king of the Walloon Flecha with 5 wins, and Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, with 3, will defend their hegemony this Wednesday at the 86th edition of the event in the Ardennes held with a 202.1 km route between Blegny and Mur de Huy, which will be attended by Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, among other figures.

A special test for Valverde, a five-time winner who is close to 42, and 4 days before the fourth monument of the season, Lieja Bastoña Lieja, which Murcian has won 4 times. In La Flecha, a career with a very Spanish record, with victories for “Purito” Rodríguez, Dani Moreno and Igor Astarloa, Murcian will try to say goodbye to “his” career in a big way.

To try what would be a glorious farewell, Valverde will be surrounded by a team that will complete Enric Mas, Lluís MasGorka Izagirre, Oier Lazkano, Gregor Mühlberger and Carlos Verona.

Alaphilippe, double world champion, was also in his own right one of the references of the Ardennes ’first great attack. This is proof of three wins over the past 4 years, and he came, as usual, with high sights to defend the title on the steep slope of Huy.

Participation in the Walloon Flecha, despite the absences of Wout Van Aert and Primoz Roglic, was luxurious, with a cast of runners promising a show. At the head of the UAE Emirates, double Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar, prompted his return to the Ardennes. On his team are the Spaniards Juan Ayuso and Marc Soler and the Swiss Marc Hirschi.

Alaphilippe will also not be alone in the Fast Steps, as the Frenchman will have the support and the possible winning trick of Belgian Remco Evenepoel.

The Ineos, launched with victories at Itzulia, Amstel, Flecha Brabanzona and Paris-Roubaix, featured heavy artillery along with Tom Pidcock, Geraint Thomas, Daniel Felipe Martínez, Michal Kwiatkowski and Carlos Rodríguez.

But there will be more candidates, and with good weight, like the trio from Bahrain included Teuns, Poels and Caruso, the Belgians Benoot and Wellens and the French Benoit Cosnefroysecond to Amstel and Flecha Brabanzona.

The route between Blegny and the Wall of Huy, increases mileage by 10 km compared to the usual, to reach 202.1, a bumpy route in its first half, with 2 marking points, of Tancremont (2.9 kms to 5.3) and of Forges (1.3 to 7.8).

In the second part, a circuit awaits with three passes on 3 levels, with a total of 9 climbs.. These are the Ereffe (2 km at 5.8 per cent), Cherave (1.4 km at 7.9) and the decisive and formidable Wall of Huy, with two preceding steps and the last 2 km at 10 per cent and ramps 19. The last corner, in the middle of the wall, will decide the race.

Also this Wednesday will be held the 25th edition of the Fleche Walloon women with a route 133.4 km between Huy and the Wall of Huywhich was attended by the most representative figures, such as Italian Elisa Longo Borghini, winner of Paris-Roubaix and the Dutch Demi Vollering, winner of Flecha Brabanzona and Annemiek Van Vleuten, who will wear Movistar stripes.

Van Vleuten, who has never raised his arms at the Wall of Huy, will fight for victory in his sights set in Liège on Sunday, proof he has on his record since 2019. At Arrow he will be supported by a team that will complete Arlenis Sierra, Paula Patiño, Sara Martin, Katrine Aalerud and Jelena Eric.

Retired Dutchwoman Anna Van der Breggen has won the last 7 editions of Fleche Wallonne.

last winner

2021. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
2020. Hirschi (SUI)
2019. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
2018. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)

Spanish achievements

2014, 15, 16 and 17 Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
2013. Daniel Moreno (ESP)
2012. Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP)
2006. Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
2003. Igor Astarloa (ESP)