La Flèche Wallonne (HC), Wednesday, April 23, 199.5 km.

Previous winners and complete podium history of Flèche Wallonne.

The current route, Spa to Huy, goes up the Mur de Huy 3 times, including a finish on the 1.4 km hill. The Huy climb averages more than 10%, but has a section that's about 19%. Van Petegem and Armstrong are not taking part, preferring to rest up for the Liège-Bastogne-Liège World Cup race on Sunday.

A long break of 14 went with over 100 km to go. A credible chase was never formed. The two winning Spaniards took off from that break.

Nicole Cooke won the Women's Flèche.

Results:

1. Igor Astorloa (Saeco) 4hr 38min 17sec. 42.86 km/hr

2. Aitor Osa (iBanesto) @ 16sec

3. Alexander Shefer (Saeco) @ 56sec

4. Unai Etxebarria (Euskaltel) @ 1min

5. Alexander Kolobnev (Domina Vacanze) @ 1min 6sec

6. Oscar Mason (Sidermec) @ 1min 8sec

7. Cristian Moreni (Alessio) @ 1min 13sec

8. Angel Castresana Del Val (ONCE) @ 1min 15sec

9. Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) @ 1min 19sec

10. Eddy Mazzoleni (Sidermec) s.t.

11. Danilo Di Luca (Saeco) @ 1min 34sec

12. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) @ 1min 36sec

13. Oscar Pereiro (Phonak) @ 1min 42sec

14. Tyler Hamilton (CSC) @ 1min 44sec

15. Javier Pascual Rodriguez (IBanesto) s.t.

16. Iban Mayo (Euskaltel) @ 1min 45sec

17. Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) s.t.

18. Patrik Sinkewitz (Quick Step) s.t.

19. Dave Bruylandts (Marlus-Wincor Nixdorf) s.t.

20. Andrea Noe (Alessio) @ 1min 47sec

Quick-Step and Fassa got shut out. Di Luca, Boogerd, Hamilton, Vandenbroucke and Ullrich finished with a field that was strung out for almost 3½ minutes. Another group of 37 containing Casagrande, Aerts, De Groot and Paolini staggered in over 11 minutes after race winner Astarloa crossed the line.