The British outsider Stephen Williams won the Ardennes semi-classic Fleche Wallonne in rain and cold on Wednesday. The 27-year-old, who works for the Israel team, proved to be the best of the greatly reduced field after 199 kilometers. After the fourth approach to the Huy wall, Williams won the uphill sprint ahead of Kevin Vauquelin (FRA/Arkea) and three seconds ahead of Maxim van Gils (BEL/Lotto).
IMAGO/Photo News/Vincent Kalut
The Austrians Patrick Konrad (Lidl-Trek) and Alexander Hajek (Bora), like many others, did not reach the finish line in adverse conditions. On Sunday, Liège-Bastogne-Liège marks the end of the spring classic season. Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar and the East Tyrolean Felix Gall will also take part.
