
Tadej POGACAR. 10 and praise. He had everything to lose and he won, without ifs and buts. He takes and goes: seated. Us on the couch, him on his bicycle (the V5RS, second race, first victory for the new creature from Cambiago). He wants to win to chase away the toxic ghosts of the placements obtained at Roubaix and Amstel. He wants to win to prepare to win, even on Sunday. Double at the Flèche Wallonne, sixth victory of the season in thirteen contested, the 94th in his career. Many numbers, for a guy who has numbers to spare.
Kevin VAUQUELIN. 10. The 23-year-old French rider from Arkea B&B Hotels precedes the humanoids, terrestrial riders who have populated our planet for millennia. He sees an asteroid pass in front of him, which traces and illuminates the path. In the light cone, there is also this guy: very good.
Thomas PIDCOCK. 8. Intelligent race, in which he doesn't waste a single gram of energy. In the end, his third place is heavy.
Lenny MARTINEZ. 8. He is only 21 years old, but the guy knows how to move, how to wait, how to suffer until the end. And offers yet another demonstration of his class.
Ben HEALY. 5.5. He tries to anticipate, but in practice opens the door to Pogacar, who follows him seated and goes. He would be a nimble lightweight, but this wall remains in his teeth and legs.
Santiago BUITRAGO. 6. He is good at bringing something home, and does something.
Romain GREGOIRE. 6.5. He is only 22 years old and this young man also stands out on the wall of Huy. He doesn't hang posters, but his image remains.
Thibau NYS. 6. He suffers terribly from the cold and in the end obtains an absolutely significant top ten. The 22-year-old from Lidl-Trek obtains the minimum result, but gives everything, gives his maximum.
Remco EVENEPOEL. 4. Marks Tadej Pogacar, doesn't lose him for a moment. He can do nothing when the Slovenian starts seated and he remains there, watching.
Mauro SCHMID. 6. The 25-year-old Swiss rider from Jayco AlUla obtains a more than comforting 10th place, which is clearly not satisfying, but pays.
Brandon MCNULTY. 9. The American does an incredible job in the finale, confirms himself as a phenomenal rider.
Jan CHRISTEN. 10. He does an applause-worthy finale.
Davide FORMOLO. 6.5. He gives it his all, shows himself, resists and fights, puts in heart and legs, but it's not enough, even if for someone who is not a climber like the "rock" this 16th place says too little compared to what he showed. And on Sunday, you'll see, we'll see him again.
Tobias FOSS. 8. The Ineos Grenadiers rider remains at the front in the finale with two other compatriots: Fredrik Dversnes and Andreas Leknessund, both from Uno-X Mobility. Three Norwegians at the front in a truly Nordic finale. Frozen race, they are good at freezing it until 7 kilometers from the finish.
Mattias SKJELMOSE. 17. 40 kilometers from the finish, in a cursed right turn, where others had already fallen, he loses the adhesion of the front wheel and slides away, violently hitting his right knee and buttocks. Bad blow, which takes him out of the game. A year ago forced to retire due to hypothermia, today for a trivial fall, but which was anything but trivial. After a spectacular Sunday that earned him the beer race, today water still plays a nasty trick on him.
Simon GUGLIELMI. 6.5. The 27-year-old French rider from Arkéa - B&B Hotels takes and goes. There's a need to warm up and he chooses the simplest way to do it, taking head-on a race that presents in the finale the most iconic "hit" of all cycling. He goes and with him Artem Shmidt (INEOS Grenadiers), Ceriel Desal (Wagner Bazin WB), Tom Paquot (Intermarché - Wanty) and Siebe Deweirdt (Team Flanders - Baloise). It's the longest breakaway, which in any case conditions this Flèche Wallonne.