18 April 2016
IAM Cycling
THE ANALYSIS
The Flèche Wallonne is not a race that just anyone can win, Rik Verbrugghe explained. You have to understand it in order to be able to take the victory. The Mur de Huy, at the top of which comes the finish line, is often decisive. For IAM Cycling, it will be difficult to make the difference in the last hundred meters. This is why we will want to ride at the front of the pack. We will need to take advantage of the weaknesses of our opponents. We need to be on the offensive.
THE TECHNIQUE
Learned by Jarlinson Pantano. Though he found himself the victim of crashes last year, the Colombian rider has learned the lessons of the Walloon classic. It is important to ride at the front. The end is very hard, and is often loaded with explosive riders. The last kilometer is ruthless. Maybe too much for me. It will be tricky. Many teams will try their luck before the Mur de Huy. It will take an extra dose of vigilance not to be trapped.
THE NOVELTY
The Solières climb. To be climbed twice in the race, the last time with 40 kilometers to go to the finish, this difficult 4.3 kilometer hill that has some passages with gradients up to 8%, could prove tricky, though it comes relatively far from the finish. In a race like this, every change to the course is important, Dries Devenyns conceded. We will take time to recon the last 40 kilometers of the race beforehand, Rik Verbrugghe confirmed. This will be an opportunity to discover and learn about this particular climb that we do not know yet. It may very well prove to be an interesting addition to the race.
THE INEVITABLE
Le Mur de Huy. The peloton will scale this wall three times. A mythical finishing point for the Flèche Wallonne, this final ramp remains a sort of puzzle even to those who climb it. A real Wall, it is 1.3 kilometers long with a 9% average gradient and threatens with passages of 20%. It will provide the moment of truth even as it hassles the riders.
THE MEMORY
Rik Verbrugghes own success there. Solo. It was a good win, the IAM Cycling sports manager exclaims. I broke away 30 kilometers from the finish. I caught the remainder of the breakaway, and when I arrived at the foot of the Mur de Huy, I had no more than 20 seconds on the peloton. It was a tiny amount. But it was enough for me to be able to raise my arms in victory. This success I owe to my then director, the now deceased Claude Criquielion. The Flèche Wallonne is the race where he gave me the most advice.
LINE-UP La Flèche Wallonne
Race Pictures – BettiniPhoto
