Julian Alaphilippe won his 3rd Flèche Walonne on Wednesday 21 April after victories in 2018 and 2019. A race that he particularly likes, even if this year we did not necessarily expect it. Despite numerous breakaway attempts and an attack by Primoz Roglic who had been the first of the favourites to try his luck in the last meters of the race, the Frenchman was ahead of the Jumbo-Visma rider in the sprint. Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took third place at the top of the Mur du Huy. Back on this race…
The summary of this race
We had rarely seen such an open Flèche Wallonne. From the start, the UAE Emirates team of Marc Hirschi, the latest winner to date, and Tadej Pogacar had to forfeit. Indeed, the Covid tests of Diego Ulissi and a member of the staff were positive. For the rest, as usual, it was not until the last kilometer for the favorites to be talked about, with the notable exception of Thomas Pidcock, victim of a fall 27 kilometers from the finish that he lacks in the last meters. Some outsiders tried to animate the race, like Simon Geschke (Cofidis) in the penultimate passage of the Mur de Huy and Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) in the Côte du Chemin des Gueuses, ten kilometers from the finish. Nevertheless, all the favourites were together before the final climb of the Mur de Huy. At the end of a very classic race scenario, where everything was decided on the final climb, the Deceuninck-Quick Step puncher beat Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma). The latter had placed the first acceleration where only Julian Alaphilippe and Alejandro Valverde were able to respond. Too fair, the Spaniard must let slip the world champion, who manages to get back on the Slovenian. And thanks to one last big effort, Julian manages to take the place of leader. 
The French live up to this classic
In addition to Alaphilippe's victory, two French riders are ranked in the top 10. Already fourth last year, Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic) took fifth place. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) also confirmed his good form of the moment by taking seventh place. The disappointment of the day comes from Benoît Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroen). Last season, he took second place in this Flèche Wallonne. On this 2021 edition, he was at the head of the group of favorites at 500 meters from the finish. But he could not follow the attacks of the leading duo. Unfortunately, the Norman finished in 18th place. Top 10 ranking: 1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Deceuninck), the 193.6 km in 4 h 36:25. 2. Primoz Roglic (SLO/JUM) m.t. 3. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) at 06. 4. Michael Woods (CAN/ISR) 08. 5. Warren Barguil (FRA/ARK) 11. 6. Tom Pidcock (GBR/INE) 11. 7. David Gaudu (FRA/FDJ) 11. 8. Esteban Chaves (COL/BIK) 11. 9. Richard Carapaz (ECU/INE) 11. 10. Maximilian Schachmann (GER/BOR) 16. 
Julien Alaphilippe: master of this Belgian classic
The Frenchman did not show as much confidence in this edition of the Flèche Walonne as in these previous victories. Especially since the world champion does not make a big start to the season. His only victory was on the Tirreno-Adriatico. This Wednesday, the Frenchman set the record straight after timid races on the Flanders classics.
"Since the beginning of the season I haven't won much, I was keen to raise my arms and in a race as hard as the Flèche, I wanted to win again. I'm glad I made it," he said after the finish."They (his teammates) did a great job, I'm proud of them. We were committed to doing well and they trusted me (…) I stayed in the right place, I knew what I had to do. It was the legs that made the difference.I knew it wasn't going to be easy against Roglic. (…) This one with the rainbow jersey, it feels really good."
He was the strongest on Wednesday to become the 6th rider to have at least three victories on the Flèche Wallonne, after Marcel Kint (3), Eddy Merckx (3), Moreno Argentin (3), Davide Rebellin (3) and Alejandro Valverde (5), who promises to be formidable for Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday, the day of his 41st birthday. Julien Alaphilippe will be keen to win this race and succeed Bernard Hinault after his victory in 1980. Hinault on Alaphilippe: "It would be great if he could win it but there are a lot of people"
