Tadej Pogacar wins the 2023 Freccia Walloon . The Slovenian precedes everyone on the Huy wall with a forcing that leaves no way out for his opponents. The Slovenian precedes Mattias Skjelmose and Mikel Landa .

Eight riders experience the action from afar, including Soren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Daryl Impey (Israel Premier Tech) and Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché Circus Wanty). The breakaway took the lead up to 3'30” and 55 km from the finish, on the Cote d'Ereffe climb, only two remained in the lead: Zimmermann and Kragh Andersen.

On the penultimate pass on the Muro di Huy, Samuele Battistella (Astana) and Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick Step) attacked Kragh Andersen and Zimmermann 31 km from the finish, but the advantage of the four over the group was just 20”.   Despite the pressure from the group, the attackers continue their action and 15 km from the finish they have a 40” lead; Zimmermann breaks away and Kragh Andersen, Vervaecke and Battistella remain in the lead.  

At the last pass on the Cote de Cherave, the UAE starts forcing and catches up with the escapees, except Vervaeke, who maintains an advantage of about 20” before being caught again at the start of the Wall of Huy. Good performance, however, for Kragh Andersen, who remains on the run for many kilometers and therefore earns several fantasy points.

Then, Pogacar precedes everyone with the usual irresistible forcing, with Skjelmose gaining second position ahead of Landa, while Michael Woods is fourth, immediately ahead of Giulio Ciccone, fifth.

ARRIVAL ORDER:

1 POGAČAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates

2 SKJELMOSE Mattias Trek-Segafredo ,,

3 LANDA Mikel Bahrain - Victorious ,,

4 WOODSMichael Israel - Premier Tech 0:03

5 CICCONE Julius Trek-Segafredo ,,

6 LAFAY Victor Cofidis ,,

7 BENOOT Tiesj Jumbo-Visma,,

8 VAN GILS Maxim Dstny lot ,,

9 BARDET Romein DSM team ,,

10 BARGUIL Warren Team Arkéa Samsic ,,

11 VALTER Attila Jumbo-Visma,,

12 ADRIA Roger Equipo Kern Pharma 0:09

13 ARANBURU Alex Movistar Team 0:10

14 VAN WILDER Ilan Soudal - Quick Step,,

15 JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland Uno-X Pro Cycling Team ,,

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency