Key moments

The specialist did it again. After his wins in 2004 and 2007, Davide Rebellin has won his third Flèche Wallonne. The year he won his first he became the first rider in history to score an Ardennes triple. At 38 years of age he becomes the fourth rider to have won the Flèche Wallone for a third time joining Marcel Kint (1943, 44 & 45) Eddy Merckx (1967, 70 &72) and Moreno Argentin (1990, 91 & 94)

The Franco-Japanese connection

The first attack of the day was put in by Perben Van Hecke (Bel-TSV) at kilometre 0. After several attempts, Christophe Moreau (Fra-AGR) managed to break away from the peloton at kilometre 7 and was joined by Fujiyuki Beppu (Jap-SKS). 20 kms later, the gap to the peloton was at 7’25”. After 50 kms the lead swelled to 15’30.

Moreau continued to go it alone

The gap decreased to 14’30” as the peloton, led by the Silence-Lotto, Lampre, Caisse d’Epargne and Saxo Bank teams, crossed the finish line for the first time of the day at the summit of the of Mur de Huy. On the second ascension of the Mur de Huy, Beppu was momentarily dropped by Moreau but the two leaders were soon riding in tandem. The gap to the peloton was reduced to 11’20”. 99 kilometres were still to be covered for the leading duo. With 78kms left to be covered the going became too difficult for Beppu; leaving Moreau to go it alone. 

163 km break away for Moreau

It all changed with 50kms to go. Christophe Moreau’s lead was down to 4’20”, following an attack from Chris Sorensen on the Côte de Thon, which was then followed by an attack from a group of 17 riders. But the peloton picked up the pace and with 30 kms to go Moreau’s lead was down to 50 seconds. He was caught five kilometres later ending his 163 km run at the front.

Serpa tries to escape

Iglinksy (AST) and Kolobnev (SAX) tried an attack of their own on the Côte de Bousalle but it wasJosé Serpa (SDA) who managed to put some daylight between himself and the peloton. His run at the front of the race came to an end 14 kms shy of the finish line on the Côte d’Ahin . With 10kms to go, a trio of rider, including Scarponi (SDA), Rodriguez (GCE) and Pfannberger (KAT). With Seven kilometres to go they were joined by Taralongo (Lam), Kreuziger (LIQ) and Kroon (SAX)

Perfect Timing for Rebellin

The group was caught 4 kilometres from the finish line where the peloton began to get organized and prepare for the Mur de Huy. In the opening metres of the day’s final difficulty, all the leaders were in position. Like last yearCadel Evans kicked it in to high gear on the steepest section, which began the hostilities. Damiano Cunego and Andy Schleck where on the Australian’s back wheel, but the burst of energy from David Rebellin was too much for the others to handle. The Italian pulled ahead in the final 250 metres to take the win ahead of Schleck and Cunego.

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