La Flèche Wallonne males LIVE – Can Tom Pidcock repeat his Amstel Gold success?

120KM TO GO

The hole’s come down a bit, to 4-20, however nonetheless no urgency within the race. Some riders are taking consolation breaks as we converse. 

Whereas we look ahead to the motion to kick off, have a learn of the riders we’ve picked out because the favourites for victory at the moment.

130KM TO GO

One other 10km move, and issues stay the identical. The riders are travelling via undulating terrain, however with no correct climbs to spark severe racing. That’ll change in about 20km after they arrive onto the ending circuit. 

140KM TO GO

The race has very a lot settled right into a holding sample. The hole is 4-40, and neither going up nor down in the intervening time.

EF Training-EasyPostNL have additionally had a presence on the entrance of the peloton, indicating their ambitions. Ben Healy, pictured right here within the Irish nationwide champion’s jersey, is their apparent contender, however at Amstel Gold he switched to a domestique position for Marijn van den Berg – and will do the identical at the moment for Richard Carapaz, who’s the sort of pure climber that may relish the Mur de Huy.

150KM TO GO

We’re 1 / 4 of the way in which into the race, and issues are calm for now. The break’s lead is 4-30, and the following climb is not for an additional 40km.

The leaders are achieved climbing the Côte d’Yvoir, with Juaristi the primary to the highest. Subsequent, the riders will method the ending circuit, the place the Mur de Huy and Côte d’Ereffe will every be taken on 4 occasions.

Lidl-Trek are additionally contributing to the chase, for his or her man Mattias Skjelmose. He’s been in nice kind up to now this season, and proved final 12 months that he can do the Mur de Huy by sprinting for second up it final 12 months, crushed solely by Tadej Pogačar.

160KM TO GO

The Mur de Huy may be the race’s well-known climb, however there are others to be tackled too – the primary of which, Côte d’Yvoir, is coming in just some kilometres.

It’s fairly chilly out, as indicated by the riders’ apparel. There has additionally been some discuss of rain, nevertheless it stays dry for now.

170KM TO GO

4-30 now from the leaders to the peloton, the place it is relaxed for now. Van der Beken sat up and has been reabsorbed.

Listed here are the six riders up the highway – James Whelan, Igor Chzhan, Johan Meens, Alan Jousseaume, Lilian Calmejane and Txomin Juaristi.

Ineos Grenadiers have taken management of the peloton, embracing the notion that Tom Pidcock is favorite for at the moment.

Earlier than the beginning, Pidcock defined how “there was not a lot time to have fun” after his Amstel Gold win. 

“Just a few guys modified their flights, we had a pleasant dinner, however whenever you come to those races you realize there are three this week.

“[Amstel Gold] was robust, however I recovered properly. I’m recovering actually quick in the intervening time, and I really feel good. I do know the legs are good, at the moment’s a difficult race. It’s virtually tactical this climb, I’ve by no means bought it proper earlier than. So we’ll see.

“My greatest consequence [at Flèche Wallonne] was sixth, in my first 12 months the place I got here off fairly a turbulent few days after Amstel Gold, when my head wasn’t in the proper place. And final 12 months I got here in super-far again. I can undoubtedly do higher than that, nevertheless it’s going to be tough to win, like each race now.”

180KM TO GO

Over three minutes now for the lead group, however they’re nonetheless not hanging about – a lot in order that Van der Beken does not seem like he will make it. He is drifted to no-man’s land, about midway between each teams.

Meens and Chzhan have joined the lead group on an uncategorised uphill they’re climbing, however have dropped Van der Beken, who has but to make the junction.

190KM TO GO

Now practically two minutes for the leaders – it appears the peloton is completely happy to let this one go. 

There are just a few extra riders out of the peloton attempting to affix the 4 leaders – Igor Chzhan, Aaron Van den Beken and Johan Meens.

The peloton appears proud of this group already, with their lead already having grown to over a minute.

Assaults are being made, and 4 riders have a small hole: Lilain Calmejane, Txomin Juaristi, James Whelan and Alan Jousseaume. 

199KM TO GO

We’re off!

One other prime tip is Marc Hirschi. Together with Dylan Teuns, he’s one in all solely two former winners participating, and for the primary time shortly is beginning to present some indicators of the shape he was in 4 years in the past when he triumphed right here.

If there’s an outright favorite, then it is most likely Tom Pidcock. Within the absence of Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel, he’s the puncheur with probably the most star high quality, and marked himself out as the person to beat by successful Amstel Gold on Sunday.

The riders are within the neutralised zone and can start racing shortly.

The sense of predictability has led to many repeat winners lately — Alejandro Valverde received 4 in succession between 2014 – 2017, whereas Julian Alaphilippe triumphed in three of the next 4 editions. However this 12 months’s race appears to be like very open, lacking defending champion Tadej Pogačar and missing an outright favorite.

Whereas a lot of the classics change over time, be it by way of route or techniques,La Flèche Wallonne stays fixed. The Mur de Huy has been the race’s end for 4 entire many years, and nearly yearly the race comes all the way down to a dash up it.

We’re within the Ardennes for the second leg of Ardennes Week, following final Sunday’s thrilling and unpredictable Amstel Gold Race.

Hi there and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ dwell protection fo Flèche Wallonne.