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La Flèche Wallonne, Belgium

20 April, 201.5K

69th La Flèche Wallonne

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The 69th edition of La Flèche Wallonne ("The Walloon Arrow") will set off from Charleroi as a mid-week appetizer. It serves your fix between Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. As a part of the so-called "Ardennes Weekend" (La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège used to be held back to back on Saturday and Sunday), it's a parcours that gives the boys with climbing legs a chance to show themselves. With a finish that takes them up the Mur de Huy for the third time, a 1.3km climb with sections over 15%, the winner will definitely be the strongest man!

Coming off his already impressive spring campaign, the name on everyone's lips has to be Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi). The uphill finish should perfectly suit his explosive style, but we think Di Luca will be playing his cards close to his chest, preferring instead to save himself for victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Another name floating around the BiciRace.com office is last year's man on the spring scene, David Rebellin (Gerolsteiner). Though he'll have his work cut out for him to repeat any of his 2004 glory. But a top 5 is likely for the sure-shot Rebellin. Then there is "Signor second place", Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), will more than likely be showing his toothy self, and has a strong probability for a podium finish.

But we're also pragmatic bunch here at BiciRace.com, and recent history shows that the winner of Flèche Wallonne is typically going to be an outsider. As it has been the last few years ... Rebellin (a perpetual top 10 man until 2004), Astarloa, Aerts, Verbrugghe, etc., so we are looking forward to a strong showing from the Spaniards. We can't resist super-hot Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears), or watch out for a strong finish from his teammate Aitor Osa. And another Basque moving up the pop-charts is David Etxebarria (Liberty Seguros-Würth).

Don't count out Michelle Scarponi (Liberty Seguros-Würth), also driven by Manolo Saiz, who was fourth last year. Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) is on the verge of a big victory and could be given he chance from his leader, Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile).
- Dust Devil