For his last season in the peloton, Valverde outdid himself in his favorite race which he won five times (event record), the last time in 2017. He did better than the double winner of the Tour from France, Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (12th), and also the outgoing winner, world champion Julian Alaphilippe, who finished at the foot of the podium (4th).

Only Teuns, representing a Bahrain team that has been in full swing since last season, managed to do better than him.

"I have never felt so strong in the spring classics," said the first Belgian to appear on the list since Philippe Gilbert in 2011.

"I knew when Valverde was going to accelerate, I was in his wheel," explained Teuns, who mastered the Spaniard's comeback on the final flat to win clearly.

The joy of the Belgian Dylan Teuns, after winning the Flèche wallonne ahead of the Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, on April 20, 2022 at the top of the Mur de Huy BENOIT DOPPAGNE BELGA / AFP

"I've always dreamed of winning here," added the Belgian, third in the 2017 edition and twice winner of a Tour de France stage, at the top of La Planche des Belles Filles in 2019 and in the resort. du Grand-Bornand last year.

Teuns, who is 30, has added a new classic to the Bahrain team's collection.

The last pearls?

Paris-Roubaix 2021, by the Italian Sonny Colbrelli (now retired due to a heart problem), and Milan-Sanremo 2022, by the Slovenian Matej Mohoric, who is recovering from his exceptional expense last Sunday in Paris -Roubaix.

Alaphilippe fourth and relieved

As much as the success of Teuns, at ease in this kind of exercise, the performance of the day was signed by Valverde, who climbed the podium for the ninth time in Huy since 2006. "He always knew how to be at the appointment", underlined Alaphilippe, admitting to being "relieved" to have finished.

Unlike last year, when he managed to win despite the pressure of the world champion's rainbow jersey, the Frenchman could not compete for victory.

"The legs have spoken, the strongest won today", acknowledged Alaphilippe.

The French world champion Julian Alaphilippe finished 4th in the Flèche wallonne, on April 20, 2022 at the top of the Mur de Huy, won by the Belgian Dylan Teuns BENOIT DOPPAGNE BELGA / AFP

Leader of the Quick-Step team, still struggling in the classics this season, Alaphilippe summed up his current situation: "I've already been stronger but I'm not on the street."

Before looking ahead to Sunday and his main goal for the first part of the season, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the classic he dreams of winning above all else.

Transformed into a hill climb on the steep slopes of the Mur de Huy (1300 m at more than 9%), this 86th edition of the Flèche Wallonne has therefore remained true to its tradition.

The last escapees (Kragh Andersen, Vansevenant) were caught at the foot of the final climb that a teammate of Valverde (Mas) climbed at a very brisk pace.

To launch the indestructible veteran in the best conditions, five days before his 42nd birthday.

© 2022 AFP