La Flèche Wallonne is the second of the 3 Ardennes Classics races taking place on 20th April, 2016. This is the 80th edition of the Amstel Gold Race.
The Course
La Flèche Wallonne is 196kms in length featuring a hilly course and is usually decided on Mur de Huy, the 1.3 km long 9.3 %, max 19 % finishing climb. One of the best uphill finishes of the season.
Recent History
The winners of the last five editions of the La Flèche Wallonne were:
- 2011 – Philippe Gilbert (BEL) – Omega Pharma-Lotto
- 2012 – Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) – Team Katusha
- 2013 – Daniel Moreno (ESP) – Team Katusha
- 2014 – Alejandro Valverde (ESP) – Movistar
- 2015 – Alejandro Valverde (ESP) – Movistar
Type of Riders suited to this race
La Flèche Wallonne purely suits the riders who are explosive on short steep climbs. The winners in the last 4 years are all masters of this type of all out deep into the red types of effort over a short distance on a ridiculously steep slope like the Mur du Huy.
Riders who will feature
The clear favourite
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) – aiming for his third win in three years and fourth overall which would be an outright record. Valverde is a brilliant one day classics rider on this type of terrain. He also has three wins in Liege-Bastogne-Liege and loves the short sharp climbs prevalent on these roads. He is a tough man to bet against and is a very strong favourite in the bookies eyes.
The Rest
Dan Martin (Etixx-Quick-Step) – Martin was runner-up here in 2014 and a winner in Leige-Bastogne-Leige in 2013 (and likely in 2014 if not for falling off on a drain cover with the finish line in sight). Martin had an impressive win on stage 3 of the Volta Catalunya against the best climbers in the world. He is likely to go very well here on Wednesday.
Joaquim Rodriguez (Team Katusha) – Rodriguez is the 2012 winner of this race and has multiple podium finishes in Ardennes Classic races. On top form he would be a contender but he seems to be below par and maybe, finally age is catching up with him.
Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick-Step) – Alaphilippe finished second here last year and was also runner up in Liege-Bastogne-Liege. He would look a good bet to finish on the podium but is he here to ride for big money off-season signing Dan Martin?
Sergio Luis Henao (Team Sky) – Henao finished 7th last year and 2nd in 2013. He has the qualities needed to challenge for the win but there is a little doubt he can win the tough ones. Jon Izagirre beat him in an uphill sprint in the GP Miguel Indurain this year and that does not bode well here as Valverde is a lot quicker than Izagirre in an uphill grinding sprint.
Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEDGE) – Yates has no record in this race but finished 8th on the Tour de France stage in 2015 that ended on the Mur du Huy. He is a young, up and coming rider and could easily sneak into the top 10, maybe a little higher.
Tips
PLACED – Back Dan Martin to win for a 1.5/10 E/W (1/4 of the odds for top 4) stake at 8.00 with Skybet.
Back Simon Yates to win with a 0.5/10 E/W (1/4 of the odds for top 4) stake at 101.00 with Skybet.
Place your bets here:
