12:20 – Dylan Teuns absent
Surprise winner last year, Dylan Teuns will not be present on Belgian roads to defend his title. “Dylan Teuns unfortunately did not recover from his illness in time to be at the start of the race. A decision will be made in the coming days as to his participation in Liege-Bastogne-Liege“, wrote his team on Twitter Monday, April 18.
11:50 – Let’s go!
The men’s Flèche Wallonne riders have just set off for the 192 kilometers of the Classic. The first attacks and the breakaway should animate the start of the race before the explanations between favorites in the middle of the afternoon.
11:20 – Benoît Cosnefroy package
Ag2R Citroën rider Benoît Cosnefroy is out of the Flèche Wallonne. The Frenchman, although he seemed to be better this morning, was not declared fit by his team. “His state of health has improved in recent hours but does not allow him to compete in such a demanding event”, specifies doctor Serge Niamke, team doctor.
10:57 – Who are the Flèche Wallonne favourites?
Apart from the scarecrow Tadej Pogacar, several riders can claim victory and a podium in the Classic. On the French side, without Julian Alaphilippe, triple winner, hopes will rest on David Gaudu. Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech), Enric Mas (Movistar Team), Sergio Higuita (BORA-hansgrohe), Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious), Esteban Chaves, Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) , Marc Hirschi, Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates), Mattias Skjelmose Jensen, Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) are also to follow.
10:25 – Pogacar does not want to think about the hat-trick
And yet, everyone thinks about it and certainly bets on the double winner of the Tour de France to win this Flèche Wallonne. But questioned before the race by L’Equipe, Tadej Pogacar approaches the race without pressure and does not want to think of the hat-trick. “It may be an easier race than the Amstel or the other classics, but it’s really complicated to manage because there is a lot more freshness in everyone at the end”
09:50 – The profile of the terrible Wall of Huy
As often, the Flèche Wallonne should be played at the very end of the race with the famous Mur de Huy and its vertiginous slopes, promised to the punchers.
09:00 – Hello everyone!
Welcome to you to follow the Flèche Wallonne 2023 live and in full. The Classic is the second race of the Ardennes triptych after the Amstel Gold Race and just before Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the oldest.