A group of eight men led until kilometers before the finish, but it was already clear all along that the men in the lead would not make it. At about 10 kilometers from the finish, the refugees were caught by the large group.
Cofidis decided on a joint attack with three men. Rémy Rochas took off alone, but was passed by Søren Kragh Andersen of Team DSM and Quick Step rider Mauri Vansevenant. But with the chasing peloton behind them, the Dane and the Belgian don’t make it.
Teuns started at 250 meters from the top. Only Valverde could follow the Belgian. The Spaniard managed to get next to Teuns, but in the last meters of the steep climb the Belgian drove away from the five-time winner. “I have no words for this, I have secretly always dreamed of this,” said 30-year-old Teuns, Bahrain-Victorious rider.
Alaphilippe and Valverde
Julian Alaphilippe proved to be the strongest last year. The Frenchman is in any case a fan of the race in Belgium, because he also crossed the finish line in 2018 and 2019. From 2014 to 2017, Valverde, who also triumphed in 2006, proved superior. The Spaniard – next Monday he will be 42 – was also there on Wednesday, but just missed it.
Joop Zoetemelk in 1976 was the first and only Dutch winner of the hilly classic that was on the program for the first time in 1936.
The Arrow Walloon is considered an important preparation race for Liège-Bastogne-Liège, traditionally the last of the great spring classics.
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