La Flèche Wallonne 2016: Favourites
La Fleche Wallonne usually boils down to the last climb, the Wall of Huy. Last two editions were won by Alejandro Valverde and once again the 36-year old is among the top favourites. Cyclingstage.com brings you the major contenders to win La Fleche Wallonne in 2016.
The Wall of Huy is only 1.3 kilometres (but super-steep) and the prior climbs are not so testing that they can reduce the pack to a selective group. So to win the Fleche Wallonne you got to have explosive power. The Wall of Huy is puncheurs territory. No wonder a rider like Valverde won the Fleche Wallone several times. He is an explosive climber and good sprinter.
The likes of Tim Wellens and Daniel Martin should force a gap before the climb and give it all they’ve got to stay ahead of the troops. That’s exactly what home rider Wellens aimed to do last year, but to no avail. Maybe it works out this time. After all, the 24-year old is more experienced and he has got a few fine victories under his belt, some of them in the Ardennes. It is definitely the terrain that suits him.
Contenders who have tasted the sweetness of a victory in the Fleche Wallonne are Alejandro Valverde (2006, 2014, 2015), Philippe Gilbert (2011), Joaquim Rodríguez (2012) and Daniel Moreno (2013).
Favourites La Fleche Wallonne 2016:
*** Alejandro Valverde, Daniel Martin, Tim Wellens
** Joaquim Rodriguez, Julian Alaphilippe, Daniel Moreno
* Tony Gallopin, Michael Albasini, Philippe Gilbert, Petr Vakoc
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Overview - La Flèche Wallonne 2016 More articles Giro 2024: Sprint triumph Merlier, Pogacar still leader
Giro 2024 Route stage 3: Novara - Fossano
Giro 2024 Route stage 4: Acqui Terme - Andora
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 4: Mini Milan-San Remo
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024: Riders
Giro 2024: GC Favourites
Giro 2024 Route stage 5: Genoa - Lucca
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 5: For fast finishers #2
Giro 2024 Route stage 6: Viareggio - Rapolano Terme
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 6: Mini Strade Bianche
Giro 2024 Route stage 7: Foligno - Perugia
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 7: For punchy ITT specialists
Giro 2024 Route stage 8: Spoleto - Prati di Tivo
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 8: Mountain race for attackers
Giro 2024 Route stage 9: Naples - Naples
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 9: For fast finishers #3
Giro 2024 Route stage 10: Pompei - Bocca della Selva
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 10: Attackers in the high mountains
Giro 2024 Route stage 11: Foiano di Val Fortore - Francavilla al Mare
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 11: For fast finishers #4
Giro 2024 Route stage 12: Martinsicuro - Fano
Cycling Calendar 2024
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes 2024: Brown wins six-up sprint
Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024: Riders
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!