The 2013 La Fleche Wallonne could be the rain to break Belgian Philippe Gilbert’s drought, with the World Champion still yet to win a race in the rainbow jersey. We’ll have live updates from 11.00pm AEST.
On Sunday he launched an attack on the Cauberg during the Amstel Gold Race but it lacked the ferocity of his World’s win when he soloed to victory on the same roads and ended the race in fifth.
Gilbert won La Fleche Wallonne in 2011 during his all conquering week when he became only the second rider to win all three Ardennes races after Davide Rebellin was the first in 2004.
In his defence of the Ardennes Triple Crown in 2012, Gilbert’s best performance was third place at La Fleche Wallonne behind Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) and Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha).
Although since the 2009 edition of this race, Gilbert has only finished outside of the top six once at all three Ardennes races.
Rodríguez crashed out of Amstel Gold leaving his participation in the ‘Walloon Arrow’ uncertain and likelihood of a good result an even more unlikely scenario.
Albasini will be riding in support of teammate Simon Gerrans after his third placing at Amstel Gold. This ensures Gilbert will enter the race as the favourite but he will face a stern test if he is to add a second arrow to his quiver.
He will face competition from a strong Movistar squad with Peter Sagan (Cannondale), Sergio Henao (Team Sky), Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) and Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) all capable of pulling off an upset on the day.
The race rolls out of Binche, just south of Brussels, and heads east to the finish of Huy.
The race arrives in Huy after 108kms and makes its way up the Mur de Huy on the first of three ascents.
The race then becomes two circuits roughly south and north of the town.
The first circuit is 65kms in length and takes in five climbs along the way before the Mur de Huy confront the riders again who then head north for the second circuit.
The second circuit is just 31kms in length and in comparison takes in only two climbs. The third climb of the circuit will be toughest as the peloton face the Mur de Huy for the third and final time.
This is where the fireworks will go off. The peloton will be trimmed on each ascent of the 1.3km climb as BMC in particular will want to deliver Gilbert to the base of the Mur de Huy, primed to launch the winning move.
There will be plenty of teams trying to control the race that will use up several riders before the final climb to ensure a chance at victory.
With Rodríguez uncertain to start, compatriot Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) will be carrying Spanish expectations. Valverde won the race in 2006 and like Gilbert he will want another victory here.
If Valverde isn’t on it, teammate Nairo Quintana could be allowed to chase the win. Peter Sagan won’t enter the race as the outright favourite for almost the first time this year.
The heat got to Sagan at Amstel on Sunday but with treacherously steep Mur de Huy, Fleche isn’t a race entirely suited to his characteristics.
Roman Kreuziger showed that upsets are always on the cards during the Ardennes but looking back over the last several years, the cream has risen to the top.
Cadel Evans won here in 2010, Rebellin also won in 2009 and ’07 to add to his ’04 victory and Kim Kirchen in 2008.
The recent winners Valverde, Gilbert and Rodríguez will be favourites to add another win to their palmares and Valverde and Gilbert will start as the favourites to do so.
The following video is in French but the action is on the road, here are the final few kilometres of the 2011 edition of the race as Gilbert kicks away for victory.
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
A surprise winner in Moreno after Gilbert tried to get away but he didn't have the legs today. Good showing by Ag2r with two riders in the top ten while Team Sky get their second podium of the classics. Thanks for joining us for all the action. Goodnight!
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Moreno takes the win by three seconds over Henao and Betancur just made it across the line ahead of Dan Martin for third. Gilbert missed out on a top ten position so his wait for a debut win in the rainbow jersey continues. The top ten in full 1.Daniel Moreno-Katusha 4:52:33 2.Sergio Henao-Team Sky +3 3.Carlos Betancur-Ag2r +3 4.Dan Martin-Garmin +3 5.Michael Kwiatkowski-Omega Pharma-Quick Step +3 6.Rouqium Rodriguez-Katusha +8 7.Alejando Valverde-Movistar+8 8.Igor Anton-Eustakel-Euskadi+8 9.Bauke Mollema-Blanco +8 10.Rinaldo Nocentini-Ag2r+8
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Katusha wins but its not Purito. Moreno takes the win rather unexpectedly after Gilbert went for it trying to chase down Betancur but the Spainard had the best legs. Henao was second for Sky
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
its Moreno
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Gilbert, Sagan and Moreno all go
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Betancur is off!
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Gilbert leads the riders up the Huy and Sagan is sitting on his wheel
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
2km to go and its the Huy to decide the winner
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
There is about 35 riders left now so its all about positioning as they approach the Huy. The riders off the back are sitting up and enjoying a chat.
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Schleck is trying to make his way back to the peloton but with 5kms to go and the ferocious pace being set by about 5 teams means his race is definitely over. Movistar now contributing to the pace making
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
The peloton is all strung out now with Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Cannondale, Katusha and Sky setting the pace
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
The leaders have been swept up and a GreenEdge rider had gone off the front. Schleck is the next to be dropped, his race is over
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
The penultimate climb should see a few more riders drop off, perhaps Movistar or Saxo will try launching a counter attack to test BMC before the Huy. 10kms left and the leaders have 10 seconds over the peloton
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Richie Porte was dropped on that climb
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
The leading duo are on the Côte d’Amay with a lead of 20 seconds.
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
If Gilbert wins today, it'll be the first time since Cadel Evans in 2010 to win the race in the rainbow jersey. The team Evans was riding for on the day? BMC
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
The next climb is the Côte d'Amay, a1.5 km climb to 6.7 % but its the Côte de Villers-le-Bouillet, a 1.2 km climb to 7.5 % that will make the final selection of riders in the mix for the win as it comes with just under 10kms to race
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
Dan Martin's right off the pace now after an untimely puncture. He and Hesjedal will struggle after their efforts to make a desisive move
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
With no one coming forward to help out, this is playing into the hands of BMC and Movistar. There could be a mano-a-mano between Gilbert and Valverde coming up
Zeb Woodpower
Roar Guru
FDJ have three riders at the front of the peloton and its Rodriguez now moving up on the left. Sagan also up there but hiding a little in about 30th wheel.