Valverde Wins Fleche Wallonne Classic

Spain's Alejandro Valverde won La Fleche Wallonne, after the final climb up the Mur de Huy. He was followed by CSC rider Karsten Kroon and Euskaltel`s Samuel Sanchez. After finishing second in last year's World Championships, the 25-year-old clinched the first major win in his carrier.

"I was extremely motivated but felt a bit worried because last Sunday during the Amstel Gold race, I suffered in the final part and wasn't able to compete with the best. This time, it was totally different," said the enthusiastic Caisse D`Epargne cyclist.
After Igor Astarloa's attack on the final climb of the day - 1.3 km on a 9.3%steep - Valverde, who followed him the whole time, overtook the world champion and raced to the finish, with Sanchez and Kroon on his tail.

Announced by 7-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstromg as one of the main contenders in future cycling, Valverde managed to win a stage and finish second overall in the Tour of the Basque country. He will now attend as a main contender for the win in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Classic.

His plans towards Le Tour de France are not as high as other riders may have. He said he expects to do well and plans on staying in the tour for as long as he can. "This year I cannot say that I am going to win, but I have to think more about the future. The Tour, for me, is a race for the future," said the young Spaniard.

Fleche Wallonne result:

1. Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Caisse d'Epargne) 4:42:47"
2. Samuel Sanchez (Spain/Euskaltel)
3. Karsten Kroon (Netherlands/Team CSC)
4. Fraenk Schleck (Luxembourg/Team CSC)
5. Patrik Sinkewitz (Germany/T-Mobile)
6. Danilo Di Luca (Italy/Liquigas)
7. David Etxebarria (Spain/Liberty Seguros)
8. Koldo Gil (Spain/Saunier Duval)
9. Sergei Ivanov (Russia/T-Mobile)
10. Matthias Kessler (Germany/T-Mobile)