24 Apr 2019
Kwiatkowski goes close at Wallone
Related riders
Michal Kwiatkowski
Michal Kwiatkowski led from the front on the climatic Mur de Hoy climb at Fleche Wallone only to see Julian Alaphilippe (Deuceuninck Quickstep) time his attack to perfection in the final metres to secure victory in the second Ardennes Classic of the season.
Kwiatkowski looked strong as the race climbed the iconic climb for the final time in the race, with Wout Poels positioning him at the front of a reduced bunch in the final kilometre.
However, as he attacked the steepest part of the Mur de Hoy from the front, he was unable to match the accelerations of his rivals, with Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and Alaphilippe going clear to contest the race.
The team had been hampered by a crash earlier in proceedings which had ruled out Eddie Dunbar and Michal Golas, though fortunately both were unhurt, with Dylan van Baarle was also caught behind the incident ensuring he could not make it back to the bunch to assist the leaders.
Poels was also in a positive mood, attacking as part of a large group with less than 30 kilometres to go, but Movistar and Deceuninck-Quick-Step were attentive and brought the group back within minutes of it forming to setup the expected grandstand finish.
However, as he attacked the steepest part of the Mur de Hoy from the front, he was unable to match the accelerations of his rivals, with Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and Alaphilippe going clear to contest the race.
The team had been hampered by a crash earlier in proceedings which had ruled out Eddie Dunbar and Michal Golas, though fortunately both were unhurt, with Dylan van Baarle was also caught behind the incident ensuring he could not make it back to the bunch to assist the leaders.
Poels was also in a positive mood, attacking as part of a large group with less than 30 kilometres to go, but Movistar and Deceuninck-Quick-Step were attentive and brought the group back within minutes of it forming to setup the expected grandstand finish.
Highlights
Gabriel Rasch
I think Kwiato used a little bit too much energy into the bottom of the climb, but I think in general the guys did a good job today."
Sport Director Gabriel Rasch:
“I think Kwiato used a little bit too much energy into the bottom of the climb, but I think in general the guys did a good job today.
“They were all well together, it was a shame that Eddie and Michal went down, and that crash meant we suddenly lost two guys, well three really, as Dylan was caught behind the crash which meant that Wout and Kwiato were left isolated.
"Then Kwiato was in the wind a little bit more than he’d like on the final lap, but it was always going to be the way with reduced numbers."
