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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“We won\u2019t target a specific result because we don\u2019t want to put any pressure on K\u00e9vin or the rest of the team.”<\/p>\n
Vauquelin will have support from French national champion Dorian Godon.<\/p>\n
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![\"Kevin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XKx5LzrYLspunUwMkFcD6i.jpg\")
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(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-04-22T11:13:16.818Z Four different riders from Lidl-Trek, Tudor, UAE and Ineos are leading the peloton, with the Decathlon team lined-out just behind them to protect Paul Siexas but also to show their intentions.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T11:05:47.344Z<\/p>\n The race is now speeding south-west of Liege and towards Huy for the key climbs and circuits.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T11:03:36.663Z<\/p>\n 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!<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:58:01.710Z The attackers lead by 3:00.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:51:25.341Z<\/p>\n The attackers have an advantage on the rolling roads. They can select their lines and descend safely, but at speed.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:40:42.241Z<\/p>\n We can see that now Ineos and Seixas’ Decathlon teammates are leading the peloton. Nobody wants the six attackers to open a big lead.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:39:36.480Z<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Perhaps he will try to make the race hard, go eaelier, or go at the foot of the Mur. He has been training on his attacks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I specifically worked on this before Pays Basque. I don\u2019t know how good I will be compared to the rivals I\u2019ll face in Huy, but I know I can do well.” he said.<\/p>\n “My real goal is to find out what my place is in this type of effort, and in this race. I\u2019m 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.”<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:37:49.296Z<\/p>\n Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) is the youngest rider on the La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne start list at 19 years and 210 days old. Will he become the youngest to ever win this race, too?<\/p>\n The French fans hope so snd many consider him the big favourite but he is a little more cautious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I don\u2019t share that point of view,\u201d the promising French rider during a press conference on Tuesday.<\/p>\n “I am coming to La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne just to test myself in this type of effort. We are going to try and score the best possible result, but I\u2019m under no obligation to win.”<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:33:53.351Z The peloton rides steady on the climb, keeping the gap at 2:40.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:32:09.581Z<\/p>\n The riders are about to climb the C\u00f4te de Trasenster (3.3km at 5.3%), it is the first official climb of the race.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:31:02.813Z<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “There are six or seven riders who could realistically claim victory. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “Afterwards, the Mur de Huy is pretty straightforward – the best rider wins. It is the most beautiful finale of the season.”<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:23:25.715Z<\/p>\n UAE, Tudor and Lidl-Trek are leading the peloton, to control the breakaway.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:21:42.970Z<\/p>\n And here is the first shot from our race photographer.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:19:41.636Z The attackers are: Sjoerd Bax (Pinarello-Q36.5), Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X), Vincent Van Hemelen (Flanders-Baloise), Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Jardi Christiaan van der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost), Alan Jousseaume (TotalEnergies).<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:16:22.762Z<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:12:09.904Z<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The peloton can control the attack and the six will work together for their day out front.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:09:39.725Z<\/p>\n We have a new, more serious attack forming.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T10:03:22.078Z<\/p>\n An early two-rider move is caught but we can expect more attacks soon.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:56:56.020Z<\/p>\n Will one of these three be smiling at the finish?<\/p>\n \ud83d\ude0e Un dernier (cool) selfie avant le d\u00e9part One last (cool) selfie before the start. \ud83e\udd33#FlecheWallonne pic.twitter.com\/g8BspamZA5April 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:54:57.540Z<\/p>\n Riders from TotalEnergies are the first to attack to try for spark an early breakaway.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:54:14.892Z<\/p>\n Allez! The flag drops the race is underway. 174 riders started today, with Alexey Lutsenko (NSN Cycling Team) the only. DNS.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:53:17.874Z<\/p>\n This year\u2019s 90th edition of La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne is the 42nd time that the race ends with the ascent of the Mur de Huy.<\/p>\n In recent years, new climbs have been added to the final kilometres and final circuits, with the C\u00f4te d’Ereffe adding another difficulty, even if the Mur de Huy is almost always the deciding climb from a large group.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These are the official climbs of the day but there are many more on the rolling roads of the Belgian Ardennes.<\/p>\n C\u00f4te de Trasenster at km 18.2<\/p>\n C\u00f4te des Forges at km 48.8<\/p>\n C\u00f4te d’Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 116<\/p>\n C\u00f4te de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 128.7<\/p>\n Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 134.4<\/p>\n C\u00f4te d’Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 153.2<\/p>\n C\u00f4te de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 165.9<\/p>\n Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 171<\/p>\n C\u00f4te d’Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 190.4<\/p>\n C\u00f4te de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 203.1<\/p>\n Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 208.8 (finish)<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:47:40.395Z<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc4f Le public est venu en nombre dans les rues de Herstal. Le peloton se dirige vers le d\u00e9part r\u00e9el. Big crowds line the streets of Herstal as the peloton heads towards the official start. \ud83d\ude4c#FlecheWallonne pic.twitter.com\/cm7WMuflBEApril 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:40:37.826Z<\/p>\n The riders cover 7.8km of neutralised roads, tucked in tight behind the red race directors car.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:33:49.274Z<\/p>\n Here we go! After a countdown, the riders roll out of Herstal, along the Meuse River, five kilometres north of Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: ASO)<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:26:46.651Z<\/p>\n \ud83e\udd33 Selfie time@GroupamaFDJ #FlecheWallonne pic.twitter.com\/Da7FDGTaxiApril 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:25:41.851Z<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:24:43.556Z<\/p>\n Tudor are the last to sign on with Julian Alaphilippe hailed as a former three-timer winner. Lulu wrars number. in today’s race.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:23:29.780Z<\/p>\n Last year’s race was held in the cold and rain and Tadej Poga\u010dar dominated with an unbeatable surge on the Mur de Huy.<\/p>\n Check out our full report of the 2025 race to understand what might happen today.<\/p>\n La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne: Tadej Poga\u010dar blasts to victory after rain soaked race<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-22T09:14:05.778Z<\/p>\n Cosnefroy was third at both De Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race and so is on form.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:12:36.779Z<\/p>\n UAE Team Emirates are the next to sign on. There is no Tadej Poga\u010dar today and so Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy is the expected team leader.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:10:43.178Z<\/p>\n Of course, the biggest cheer is for new French favourite Paul Seixas. The Decathlon rider dominated the Itzulia Basque Country.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:07:26.771Z<\/p>\n Romain Gr\u00e9goire (Groupama-FDJ United) signs and speak to the crowd. He is a dangerous outsider after his forth place at Amstel Gold Race.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T09:03:44.251Z<\/p>\n Dani Ostanek wrote this special feature on the contender of this year’s men’s and women’s Fl\u00e8che Wallonne favourites. These are the names to watch today.<\/p>\n The kings and queens of the Mur de Huy \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-22T09:00:11.995Z<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T08:56:39.365Z<\/p>\n This is the 90th edition of La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udff9 La #FlecheWallonne 2026 \ud83c\udff9\ud83d\udea9 Herstal – Huy \ud83c\udfc1\ud83d\udccf 200 km\u26f0\ufe0f 11 ascensions \/ 11 climbs\u23f0 11h30 \ud83c\udfc1\u2248 16h23 pic.twitter.com\/gMYO2nzGz8April 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-22T08:46:51.254Z<\/p>\n The sun is out in Herstal, just north of Liege, as the riders sign-on.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T08:43:49.206Z<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2026-04-22T08:42:45.118Z<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of the men’s La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne. It’s Wednesday but time for another great day of Ardennes Classic racing.<\/p>\n
\n140km to go<\/p>\n
\n150km to go<\/p>\n![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aj4pdEAJeznzMX8doRXnUF.jpg\")
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\n170km to go<\/p>\n![\"Andreas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/x5CkB5MDbZnEa9RVRLYkq3.jpg\")
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\n180km to go<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/nwyQCvjQ4vEWgu9qC6smkF.webp.webp\")
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