Fleche Wallonne preview

The mid-week Fleche Wallonne takes place today and 25 teams will line up for the race which includes three ascesnts of the punishing Mur, a 1.3km long climb that averages 9.3% gradient, in places rising to 16% - it'll be anything but an easy race for the riders.

Does Cunego have the legs for the win today? Pic - fotoreporter sirotti- www.sirotti.it

Fresh from his win in the Amstel Gold, Damino Cunego will be hoping to continue his good form which netted him the win last weekend. Last years winner Davide Rebellin and 2006 winner Alejandro Valverde will be hoping to stamp out any effort by the plucky Italian however.

La Flèche Wallonne is held in the Ardenees after the Amstel Gold Race and before Liege Bastogne Liege.

The highlight of the race is the climb of the very steep Mur de Huy (The wall of Huy), which is undertaken three times. When we saw the race in 2007 a number of support cars were burning their clutches with one catching fire momentarily on the ascent.

The ride in from Charleroi offers no real problems for the riders and is probably just a device to get them to ride the Mur a number of times. The Mur de Huy is a great spot to watch cycle racing not only because you get to join the drunken locals and carnival atmosphere, but also the women's version circulates about 30 minutes apart.

Previous winners
2007 Davide Rebellin Italy
2006 Alejandro Valverde Spain
2005 Danilo Di Luca Italy
2004 Davide Rebellin Italy
2003 Igor Astarloa Spain
2002 Mario Aerts Belgium
2001 Rik Verbrugghe Belgium
2000 Francesco Casagrande Italy
1936 Philemon Demeersman Belgium (1st race)

Website - www.aso.fr/2005/cyclisme/us/jour02.html