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2026-04-22T11:25:30.076Z
The French love Paul Siexas but also cheer for Kévin Vauquelin and he could challenge for the win today.
“Kévin is quite strong in this type of effort, and he has been second in the last two editions of this race, so I think he will definitely be up there,” Seixas predicted.
Vauquelin was 5th in the Volta ao Algarve, 4th in Paris-Nice, 10th in the Tour of the Basque Country. He crashed at the Amstel Gold Race but is okay.
“Luckily he came away just fine. He just lost a bit of skin, and is still in good shape. We are hoping for the best, and looking forward to having a good fight out there,” his Ineos DS Christian Knees said.
“We won’t target a specific result because we don’t want to put any pressure on Kévin or the rest of the team.”
Vauquelin will have support from French national champion Dorian Godon.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-22T11:13:16.818Z
140km to go
2026-04-22T11:05:47.344Z
The race is now speeding south-west of Liege and towards Huy for the key climbs and circuits.
2026-04-22T11:03:36.663Z
It’s a fast start to the race, as the lined-out peloton proves. The average speed for the first hour was 44.194 km/h!
2026-04-22T10:58:01.710Z
150km to go
2026-04-22T10:51:25.341Z
The attackers have an advantage on the rolling roads. They can select their lines and descend safely, but at speed.
2026-04-22T10:40:42.241Z
We can see that now Ineos and Seixas’ Decathlon teammates are leading the peloton. Nobody wants the six attackers to open a big lead.
2026-04-22T10:39:36.480Z
Siexas is strong, we all know that, including his rivals, but he perhaps does not have the power punch needed to make a late attack on the Mur de Huy.
“I specifically worked on this before Pays Basque. I don’t know how good I will be compared to the rivals I’ll face in Huy, but I know I can do well.” he said.
“My real goal is to find out what my place is in this type of effort, and in this race. I’m going to learn what the Mur de Huy is really like, and where it is better to launch an attack. I want to see how it goes and grab any chance that may come my way.”
2026-04-22T10:37:49.296Z
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) is the youngest rider on the La Flèche Wallonne start list at 19 years and 210 days old. Will he become the youngest to ever win this race, too?
“I don’t share that point of view,” the promising French rider during a press conference on Tuesday.
“I am coming to La Flèche Wallonne just to test myself in this type of effort. We are going to try and score the best possible result, but I’m under no obligation to win.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-22T10:33:53.351Z
170km to go
2026-04-22T10:32:09.581Z
The riders are about to climb the Côte de Trasenster (3.3km at 5.3%), it is the first official climb of the race.
2026-04-22T10:31:02.813Z
Last year Tadej Pogacar was the big favourite and won on thev Mur de Huy. This year the race is wide open and we’re expecting a far more balanced race, with perhaps attacks before the final climb to the finish.
“There are six or seven riders who could realistically claim victory. It’s hard to imagine how some teams are going to play their cards. Some may send riders up the road before the last climb,” Jean-Michel Monin of race organiser ASO suggested.
“The final circuit is very hard for a breakaway to stay clear of the bunch. The escapees would need to open a big gap in the first climb atop the Wall if they are to fight for the win later on.
“Afterwards, the Mur de Huy is pretty straightforward – the best rider wins. It is the most beautiful finale of the season.”
2026-04-22T10:23:25.715Z
UAE, Tudor and Lidl-Trek are leading the peloton, to control the breakaway.
2026-04-22T10:21:42.970Z
And here is the first shot from our race photographer.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-22T10:19:41.636Z
180km to go
2026-04-22T10:16:22.762Z
The gap is up to 2:30. Now it will be fascinating to see who leads the chase and does the work on the front of the peloton.
2026-04-22T10:12:09.904Z
The peloton has let them go. There are six riders in the attack. Everyone in the peloton and up front will be happy with that.
2026-04-22T10:09:39.725Z
We have a new, more serious attack forming.
2026-04-22T10:03:22.078Z
An early two-rider move is caught but we can expect more attacks soon.
2026-04-22T09:56:56.020Z
Will one of these three be smiling at the finish?
😎 Un dernier (cool) selfie avant le départ One last (cool) selfie before the start. 🤳#FlecheWallonne pic.twitter.com/g8BspamZA5April 22, 2026
2026-04-22T09:54:57.540Z
Riders from TotalEnergies are the first to attack to try for spark an early breakaway.
2026-04-22T09:54:14.892Z
Allez! The flag drops the race is underway. 174 riders started today, with Alexey Lutsenko (NSN Cycling Team) the only. DNS.
2026-04-22T09:53:17.874Z
This year’s 90th edition of La Flèche Wallonne is the 42nd time that the race ends with the ascent of the Mur de Huy.
In recent years, new climbs have been added to the final kilometres and final circuits, with the Côte d’Ereffe adding another difficulty, even if the Mur de Huy is almost always the deciding climb from a large group.
These are the official climbs of the day but there are many more on the rolling roads of the Belgian Ardennes.
Côte de Trasenster at km 18.2
Côte des Forges at km 48.8
Côte d’Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 116
Côte de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 128.7
Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 134.4
Côte d’Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 153.2
Côte de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 165.9
Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 171
Côte d’Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 190.4
Côte de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 203.1
Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 208.8 (finish)
2026-04-22T09:47:40.395Z
👏 Le public est venu en nombre dans les rues de Herstal. Le peloton se dirige vers le départ réel. Big crowds line the streets of Herstal as the peloton heads towards the official start. 🙌#FlecheWallonne pic.twitter.com/cm7WMuflBEApril 22, 2026
2026-04-22T09:40:37.826Z
The riders cover 7.8km of neutralised roads, tucked in tight behind the red race directors car.
2026-04-22T09:33:49.274Z
Here we go! After a countdown, the riders roll out of Herstal, along the Meuse River, five kilometres north of Liège.
(Image credit: ASO)
2026-04-22T09:26:46.651Z
🤳 Selfie time@GroupamaFDJ #FlecheWallonne pic.twitter.com/Da7FDGTaxiApril 22, 2026
2026-04-22T09:25:41.851Z
The riders are now lining up on the start line under blue skies, with a slight breeze. They face 200km of racing after a short neutralised sector.
2026-04-22T09:24:43.556Z
Tudor are the last to sign on with Julian Alaphilippe hailed as a former three-timer winner. Lulu wrars number. in today’s race.
2026-04-22T09:23:29.780Z
Last year’s race was held in the cold and rain and Tadej Pogačar dominated with an unbeatable surge on the Mur de Huy.
La Flèche Wallonne: Tadej Pogačar blasts to victory after rain soaked race
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-22T09:14:05.778Z
Cosnefroy was third at both De Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race and so is on form.
2026-04-22T09:12:36.779Z
UAE Team Emirates are the next to sign on. There is no Tadej Pogačar today and so Benoît Cosnefroy is the expected team leader.
2026-04-22T09:10:43.178Z
Of course, the biggest cheer is for new French favourite Paul Seixas. The Decathlon rider dominated the Itzulia Basque Country.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-22T09:07:26.771Z
Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United) signs and speak to the crowd. He is a dangerous outsider after his forth place at Amstel Gold Race.
2026-04-22T09:03:44.251Z
Dani Ostanek wrote this special feature on the contender of this year’s men’s and women’s Flèche Wallonne favourites. These are the names to watch today.
The kings and queens of the Mur de Huy – Analysing the contenders for La Flèche Wallonne
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-22T09:00:11.995Z
Jayco AlUla are the latest team to sign-on. Here comes Lenny Martinez of Bahrain Victorious. He is one of the many French favourites today.
2026-04-22T08:56:39.365Z
This is the 90th edition of La Flèche Wallonne. This year the race begins in Herstal and again features three ascents of the Mur de Huy after 130.8km, 168km, and at the finish.
🏹 La #FlecheWallonne 2026 🏹🚩 Herstal – Huy 🏁📏 200 km⛰️ 11 ascensions / 11 climbs⏰ 11h30 🏁≈ 16h23 pic.twitter.com/gMYO2nzGz8April 22, 2026
2026-04-22T08:46:51.254Z
The sun is out in Herstal, just north of Liege, as the riders sign-on.
2026-04-22T08:43:49.206Z
Join us for full coverage of all the action from the roads of Belgium. We’ll cover the roll out, early attack, the big finale and all the post-race reaction.
2026-04-22T08:42:45.118Z
Hello and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of the men’s La Flèche Wallonne. It’s Wednesday but time for another great day of Ardennes Classic racing.
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