MADRID, 17 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The British Stephen Williams, from Israel-Premier Tech, caused the surprise in the Walloon Fleche this Wednesday, winning ahead of the French Kévin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) and the Belgian Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) in the mythical ‘wall ‘ de Huy, a classic in which Roger Adrià (BORA) was the only Spaniard to finish, in 26th place, after the abandonment of Juan Ayuso (UAE) and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain).
After 198.6 kilometers of racing and the always demanding and emblematic finish on the Huy ‘wall’, the 1.3 kilometer ramp with an average gradient of 9.8% and maximum gradient of 26%, Williams won his first classic at win a strange test, in which the Danish Soren Kragh Andersen was the great entertainer of the day with his solo escape, which ended with 14 kilometers to go. The one from Alpecin-Deceuninck had a minute advantage, but finally the push of the group, with Williams always attentive in the lead, ended his adventure.
With 300 meters to go, the Briton started off with power and only the young Vauquelin, 22 years old, was able to follow him, although he had to settle for second position. Williams thus achieved his first victory in a one-day race and continues his good start to the year, after winning the Tour Down Under, in which he also won a stage.
His next challenge will be Liège-Bastogne-Liège, in which he will try to surprise again against the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar or the Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel, champion in Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders this year.
2024-04-17 15:35:44
#Stephen #Williams #surprises #Walloon #Fleche
