Victory for Valverde, injury for Gilbert
The Spaniard Alejandro Valverde has won this year’s Flèche Wallonne cycle race. The Movistar rider completed the spring classic race in 5 hours, 8 minutes and 22 seconds. The Frenchman Jultan Alaphippe (EQS) can in second, while the Swiss rider Micheal Albasini was 3rd.
Belgium’s best hope Philippe Gilbert’s (BMC) dream of winning a race that for him is on home turf came to an abrupt end when he fell badly 50km from the finishing line.
The rider from Aywaille in Liège province injured his hand, shoulder, elbow and thighbone in the fall. Although Philippe Gilbert got back onto his bike, he gave up shortly afterwards.
The accident happen after Tinkoff-Saxo knocked a Philippe Gilbert’s back wheel. Causing Philippe Gilbert, Bob Jungels and Christopher Jones to fall.
Philippe Gilbert got up and cycled on, but decided to call it a day shortly afterwards. It is not yet known whether his injuries will prevent him competing in Saturday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège race.
