STEVIEEEEEEEEEE! The Welsh wonder becomes the first British male winner of @flechewallonne 🏆 #FlecheWallonne 🇧🇪 #YallaIPT
Sensational Stephen Williams rockets to stunning La Fleche Wallonne 2024 triumph
CyclingWednesday, 17 April 2024 at 16:20
On a wet, cold and miserable day in the Ardennes, Israel - Premier Tech's Stephen Williams powered to the victory on a thrilling final climb of the Mur de Huy at La Fleche Wallone 2024.
In cold, wet and quite dark weather conditions, six riders attacked early to form the early breakaway this year. Included in that lead group were notable names such as Lilian Calmejane of Intermarché - Wanty and Alan Jousseaume of TotalEnergies.
With the weather turning the race into more of a battle of attrition, the break were caught with just under 70km to go and a number of big names such as Dylan Teuns, Tom Pidcock, Mattias Skjelmose and Tiesj Benoot already in trouble behind. Groupama - FDJ were looking good though and as such, began to try and accelerate the pace.
Soren Kragh Anderson, hoping to take advantage of the chaotic nature of things at the front, decided to attack solo. With only around 30 riders left in the chasing 'peloton', it was Uno-X Mobility who took control of things, as the likes of David Gaudu, Michael Matthews and the aforementioned Teuns and Skjelmose abandoned.
Although riders such as Ben Healy attempted to counter, with 30km still to go, the lone leader from Alpecin-Deceuninck was looking increasingly good for victory. Kragh Anderson leading by around 1:20 following the penultimate ascent of the Mur de Huy. On that climb though, Stephen Williams decided to launch a brutal attack, destroying the group and launching in chase of the leader. Williams' attack drew a group of five including Santiago Buitrago, Richard Carapaz, Maxim Van Gils and Kevin Vauquelin clear with him.
By the time the final ascent of the Côte d'Ereffe began things were all back together at the front of the race, Kragh Anderson quickly dropping out the back of the group. Using their numbers game, Uno-X then began to launch repeated attacks. With those moves failing to break free however, a group of around 30 riders were still together as the final ascent of the Mur de Huy began.
On the climb, Bruno Armirail was on the front under the flamme rouge. The first to make his move for victory however, was Stephen Williams and the Welshman had immediate daylight with 200m to go. Behind, Kevin Vauquelin and Benoit Cosnefroy were battling hard but victory was just about Williams' in a thrilling finale.
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