Valverde claims record fourth Fleche Wallonne title (Reuters)

(Reuters) – Spain’s Alejandro Valverde became the first man to win the Fleche Wallonne classic four times when he lived up to expectations in Wednesday’s 196-km one-day race. The Movistar rider perfectly timed his attacks in the final ascent in the Mur de Huy, a 1.3-km climb at an average gradient of 9.8 percent, to add to his 2006, 2014 and 2015 titles. Fellow Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez was the first to attack in the Mur de Huy but Valverde was alert and went with him before counter attacking Dan Martin and sprinting to victory.