Stephen Williams becomes first British rider to win the Flèche Wallonne. He tamed rivals and snow
United Kingdom's Stephen Williams of the Israel First Tech team, left, pushes to the finish line to win the Belgian cycling classic and UCI World Tour race Fleche Wallonne (Walloon Arrow), in Huy, Belgium, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. At left is France's Kevin Vauquelin of the Arkea team who places second. Credit: AP/Geert Vanden Wijngaert
HUY, Belgium — Stephen Williams became the first British winner of the Flèche Wallonne classic race on Wednesday after battling tough weather conditions including snow to cross first atop the Mur de Huy.
After nearly 200 kilometers (124 miles) of racing, Williams attacked in the Mur de Huy — a 1.3-kilometer (0.8-mile) ascent with an average gradient of 9.6% with sections as steep as 19% that generally decides the outcome of the race.
The 27-year-old Williams made his move with about 250 meters left to claim the biggest win of his career.
“I’m exhausted. I’m lost for words, quite emotional really,” Williams said. “It’s a really hard sport, so to win bike races is hard, especially here in these classics. It’s wonderful to be the first British winner of this race. I’ve been watching this race for a number of years and I know the class and the prestige of this race. To come to the Ardennes and win La Flèche is really special.”
Kevin Vauquelin and Maxim Van Gils finished second and third, respectively.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma won the women's race ahead of Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini.
There is more racing in the Ardennes this weekend at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, an even more prestigious classic. It is one of the “monuments” of cycling — the five most prestigious one-day events in the sport — along with the Tour of Flanders, Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Lombardy.
First place, United Kingdom's Stephen Williams of the Israel First Tech team, center, poses on the podium with second place France's Kevin Vauquelin of the Arkea team, left, and third place Belgium's Maxim Van Gils of the Lotto Dstny team during the Belgian cycling classic and UCI World Tour race Fleche Wallonne (Walloon Arrow), in Huy, Belgium, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Credit: AP/Geert Vanden Wijngaert
This year’s edition marked the 40th finish of La Flèche atop the Mur de Huy, with the peloton taking on the brutal climb on four occasions for the first time.
