Should the Flèche Wallonne change the finish at the Mur de Huy?

• Wednesday April 17, 2024 at 8:20 PM

Discussion The Flèche Wallonne is on the program on Wednesday, with the iconic finish on the Wall of Huy. Attacking before the final climb to win is a utopia in that race. Just as it was before for the Cauberg in the Amstel Gold Race. That race has redesigned its final over the last decade and, like Liège-Bastogne-Liège (which also adjusted the final), is therefore much less predictable than before. Should the Flèche Wallonne also consider this? Respond in the comments.

Organizer ASO has refined the course this edition. The biggest changes take place in the first half of the race, but in the final round (which the riders do four times) the Côte de Cherave is ignored. This means that the run-up to the Wall of Huy is slightly easier than last year. “I really regret that, because the Cherave made the final doubly interesting. If you didn’t want to wait until the Wall, there were options there to make a difference. Now you have a descent over a wide road towards the foot of the Wall. So there is an even greater chance that the pure climbers will emerge and that an elite group on the Wall will determine who wins or loses,” says Miss Wall of Hoei Anna van der Breggen, seven-time winner.

Opponents
To better frame the breaking of the Wall of Huy tradition, we asked CyclingFlits a number of riders and former professionals. We’ll start with the opponents. “Change is allowed, but why?” asks Cofidis rider Ben Hermans. He starts his twelfth Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday. “The Wall is iconic. I also thought the arrival of the Amstel on the Cauberg was better than now, just like the Saint-Nicholas followed by Ans in Liège was perfect. Isn’t it nice if you can win races on the same finish lines as your idols used to do?” Karsten Kroon agrees: “The Wall of Huy is the only one of its kind. And yes, that’s boring. But on the other hand, also very cool. I think it should stay that way, I like it when they don’t tinker with a course.”

Thomas Dekker also shares this opinion. “I am personally someone who quite likes nostalgia. The Flèche Wallonne is not a monument and is therefore just a layer below Liège. I think it’s fine the way it is now. When people say that the Wall of Huy puts a damper on that match, they may be somewhat right. In general, the strongest driver wins there. It really depends on the riders whether they race or not. Ultimately that’s what matters most. You may have less attractive riders such as Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel or Tadej Pogačar at the start. But the boys who ride now are also very good riders. I’m in favor of leaving it that way. At some point you can change everything.”

Thomas Dekker fights for a place on the Muur van Huy in 2008, Robert Gesink finishes one place ahead of him – photo: Cor Vos

Another person who sees no need to change the Flèche Wallonne is Jan Bakelants. “No, that is not necessary for me. I think the Flèche Wallonne and the Wall of Huy go together very well. That climb gives identity to that course. These four passages allow spectators to see the riders pass just as often. Of course, this race is a very specific climbing race. But as long as this is limited to once a year, then that certainly does not have to be a problem. The Amstel and Liège did successful makeovers, but I think that was really necessary. After the Flèche Wallonne you got a bit of the same in Liège, but the change in route made for a more interesting course. But in the Flèche Wallonne I really see no reason to do the same.”

Adrie van der Poel would not make any adjustments to the Flèche Wallonne precisely because of the changed finals in the Amstel and Liège. “I think climbers are very, very favored in today’s cycling. Many rates have changed over the years. If they found a mountain somewhere in the region of the last five kilometers, they had to arrive there suddenly. I am not in favor of those kinds of extreme changes. But now that the Amstel and Liège – which are now more exciting races – have changed, I don’t mind that the Flèche Wallonne does have an uphill finish. You also have to offer those riders something. Jonas Vingegaard, Sepp Kuss and even Wout van Aert and Mathieu can win here on a good day. But they don’t come. So it also depends a bit on the teams themselves. Although the Flèche Wallonne was more beautiful in the past, because more riders could achieve a result there.”

Van der Poel came second in 1981, when the finish was still in Mons and not on the Muur van Huy – photo: Cor Vos

Supporters
Michael Boogerd finds it difficult to judge it, but is open to it. “The riders who race for victories here know what the formula is to win this race. And that is why the price trend is often disappointing. But if, like in the Amstel, you place the finish two or three kilometers after the Wall of Huy, that can make the race more attractive. They should try that sometime. From what I remember, the road is quite wide after the descent. There is a lot of space with meadows, which should make it logistically possible. Then the top favorites cannot throw out all their energy on the Wall. Only if you finish somewhere else will you take away the character from this race. And I don’t know if that’s necessarily more attractive.”

Steven Rooks would like a change. He has finished third and second in the Flèche Wallonne in the past. Its first edition was in 1984, the last time the finish was not on the Wall of Huy. “That was more inviting. If you have to pass now, it’s over. Before the finish was on the Wall, you had more battle in the finals. After all, more riders could win, because there was still an opportunity to return. If you were to use that final again, the Flèche Wallonne would gain international prestige. Now many teams participate because it is mandatory, but they do not ride to win. That might be possible. In terms of audience, you have a double party: the Wall is full and then you also receive fans at the finish.”

Rooks (right) loses out to the late Claude Criquelion in 1989 – photo: Cor Vos

Former rider and NOS analyst Stef Clement is also in favor and even comes up with a concrete plan. “In the last local round like they are doing this year, you could take a shortened route. In the town of Strée-lez-Huy you would then turn right towards Vierset-Barse. Then you arrive at the foot of the Côte d’Ereffe. If you then go right instead of straight up the climb, you branch off to Huy. That’s a circuit of about ten kilometers. And then you place the finish in Huy itself and not on the Wall, so that you do it for the last time ten kilometers from the finish. As far as I’m concerned, that would be the best option if you change something. Then you can see whether a group returns after the last crossing of the Wall, or whether a soloist maintains his effort until the finish.”

See below the final round that Clement is referring to

screenshot: La Flamme Rouge

What do you think of the final in the Flèche Wallonne? Vote for the statement in the poll and join the discussion in the comments!

2024-04-17 18:20:00
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