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| 1 | Alejandro VALVERDE |
| 2 | Samuel SANCHEZ |
| 3 | Karsten KROON |
| 4 | Frank SCHLECK |
| 5 | Patrik SINKEWITZ |
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The race
Wednesday 19 April 2006Charleroi > Huy - 202 km
First Classic for Valverde
Making the best of his climbing talents, Alejandro Valverde (CEI) conquered the 70th edition of the Flèche Wallonne. The Spaniard attacked when it really mattered, in the final climb up the Mur de Huy. The day’s 202km race first saw two riders enjoy a long break in the lead after taking off at km 25. Frederic Finot (FDJ) and José-Luis Arrieta (A2R) were eventually caught at km 122. The real battle then started. As expected the decision was to be made in the last climb in Huy. Igor Astarloa was the first to give it a go but was to be caught and dropped by Valverde. The Spaniard clinched the win ahead of compatriot Samuel Sanchez (EUS) and Dutchman Karsten Kroon (CSC). Valverde wins the first Classic of his career.
The film of the stage
The 193 riders officially took off at 11:14 PM for the 202km of the day’s race at a fairly fast pace. The first man to take off in the early stages of the race was Germany’s Daniel Musiol (MRM) never however managing a decent gap. Despite a few attempts including that of a three-man group with Posthuma, Moreau and Le Mevel, the pack remained bunched in the first 25 kilometres. Two riders eventually managed to break away: Frederic Finot (FDJ) and José-Luis Arrieta (A2R). The gap rapidly grew and reached a maximum 5’20 at km 59. Getting closer to the first climb up the Mur de Huy it then started dropping. While Arrieta made it first at the top ahead of Finot, the pack led by Di Luca (LIQ) was 4’25 adrift.
Two in the lead
Again the gap started growing (maximum, 7’35) all the way to the second climb up the Mur de Huy (km 95). While Arrieta made it first to the top, the pack was led by Paolo Bettini capturing third spot with the gap dropping down to 5’. Just after the 100km mark a few attacks occurred and 14 riders eventually broke away including Bettini, Garzelli, Voigt and Jaksche. But the pack bunched together again and carried on chasing. The front men were caught at km 122.
Freire and Moos take command
The action then really started with numerous attacks. Posthuma (RAB) gave it a go… in vain! Two men then managed a decent gap: Freire (RAB) and Moos (PHO) enjoyed a 55” advantage at km 151. Alexander Moos made it first at the top of the Côte de Hautebisse while the pack led by the Liquigas team remained 1’10 adrift. Again, the Swiss rider captured first spot at the top of the Côte de Bohissau but saw the pack move closer (38”). With under 15 kilometres to go, the front men were eventually caught by a group of around 60 riders including all the main favourites.
Valverde the strongest
In the last 10 kilometres of the event, 7 riders took off (Di Luca, Schleck, Bettini, Sinkewitz, Etxebarria, Valverde, Sanchez). A first vain attempt! The pack bunched up together again before the final explanation up the Mur de Huy. Igor Astarloa (BAR) was the first to attack enjoying a 5 metre lead on his main rivals. The Spaniard was to be caught and dropped by compatriot Alejandro Valverde (CEI) immediately followed by Samuel Sanchez (EUS). The Caisse d’Epargne leader hung on to his lead and triumphed ahead of Samuel Sanchez winning his first major Classic. Karsten Krron (CSC) claimed third spot.
The winner interview
Alejandro Valverde (SPA - CEI)
A first Classic. What a great day for you?
It’s a fantastic day for me. I’d been hoping to win today but I knew it was very difficult to manage. Before the race started I already felt that I was in a good day. I was extremely motivated but felt a bit worried because last Sunday during the Amstel Gold race, I suffered in the final part and wasn’t able to compete with the best. This time, it was totally different. The team worked really well taking control of the race. It wasn’t an easy day. I don’t know what the average speed was but I believe it was very fast. In the final climb, Astarloa powered away very strongly. So did David Etxebarria. But to be honest I felt stronger than all of them and captured a historical win. When I saw Sanchez and Kroon come back, I carried on pushing hard.
This victory looks promising before Liège-Bastogne-Liège?
I know that I’m in a good enough shape to hope and win in Liège. Today’s victory gives me a lot of confidence.
But it’s a different race. A very hard race. 260 kilometres long with 1h30 to 2h of extra riding. We’ll see. I believe I’m in great shape but we’ll have to wait. I’ll have to deal with the distance.
Are you more of a Classic rider or a man for major Tours?
I tell myself that it would be a mistake to just focus on the Tour de France. I finished twice second of the World Championships so I have the qualities to do well in big Classics. It’s therefore only normal to give it a go on these races. This season, I’ve decided to focus on different types of races and I’ll still have great expectations on the Tour de France. If ever I see that it doesn’t work out, I might decide to change my strategy for the next seasons but I don’t yet know in what way.
The newsflashes
