La Flèche Wallonne 2026 Preview: Who Conquers the Mur de Huy This Time?

Since its inaugural running in 1936, La Flèche Wallonne has crowned 67 different winners across 89 editions. Alejandro Valverde sits alone at the top with five victories, a record that makes perfect sense given how perfectly the Spaniard’s abilities matched this race’s demands. The finish on the Mur de Huy was practically custom-built for him.

Almost every edition of La Flèche Wallonne comes down to an uphill sprint on the savage slopes of the Mur de Huy. The last time it didn’t? Back in 2003, when Igor Astarloa rode solo to the line. Astarloa had found himself clear with Aitor Osa heading into the final ascent and dropped his Basque compatriot on the climb, winning the same year he’d go on to claim the world championship.

Last year’s edition was among the most punishing in recent memory. Terrible weather shaped the race from start to finish. And yet, as always, the Mur de Huy had the final say. Tadej Pogačar launched himself up the climb with devastating power, finishing a full 10 seconds clear of Kévin Vauquelin in second, while Tom Pidcock completed the podium. That winning margin was the largest since Astarloa‘s solo ride in 2003. Pogačar won’t be back to defend his title this year, but the start list still has plenty of firepower for the second leg of the Ardennes triple.

Also read: Flèche Wallonne 2026

Race Details and Key Information

Route Breakdown: From Herstal to the Mur de Huy

The Mur de Huy finish is set in stone, but the starting location changes, and 2026 brings us to Herstal, a city on the banks of the Meuse river. Within the opening 50km, the peloton hits two categorised climbs. The Côte de Trasenster stretches 3.3km at an average of 8.4%, followed by the shorter Côte des Forges at 1.3km and 7.8%.

The route then rolls across undulating terrain, briefly crossing into Luxembourg before the real business begins. At 116km, riders get their first look at the finishing circuit, which they’ll cover three times. This circuit contains three categorised ascents: the Côte d’Ereffe, Côte de Cherave, and of course the Mur de Huy. The first two climbs typically soften the legs before the decisive ascent.

The Côte d’Ereffe is the longest at 2.1km with an average gradient of 5%. Riders crest it for the final time with 18.4km remaining. The Côte de Cherave is shorter but steeper at 1.5km and 8.1%, topped for the last time with just 5.7km to go. This is one of the final opportunities for attackers who want to avoid a sprint showdown on the Mur.

But the race, honestly, will almost certainly be decided on that famous climb. The approach features a technical descent into the town of Huy where the road begins to rise gradually. Then the road bends right and the gradient starts to bite. The opening ramps are relatively gentle before the most vicious sections hit around the halfway point, with pitches exceeding 20% on the S-bend. The strongest riders will be launching their attacks inside the final 400 metres, where the gradient remains brutal. As the road curves left toward the finish, the slope eases slightly in the closing metres. Those who’ve paced their effort perfectly can exploit this to steal a dramatic late win. We think this is one of cycling’s most honest finishes: there is simply nowhere to hide on the Mur de Huy.

Favourites for La Flèche Wallonne 2026

Remco Evenepoel Withdraws Despite Amstel Brilliance

Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) confirmed his superb condition by winning the Amstel Gold Race, building on an impressive debut at the Tour of Flanders. The Olympic champion was on track for the Ardennes classics and hinted in his post-race interview that he wanted to ride La Flèche Wallonne if recovery allowed. The team has since confirmed he will not start, choosing to prioritise rest after Amstel. A blow for the race, no question.

Paul Seixas: The Teenager Everyone Is Watching

The rise of Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) has been nothing short of extraordinary. The teenage Frenchman made history at Itzulia Basque Country, becoming the youngest ever WorldTour stage race winner. The Ardennes represent uncharted professional territory for Seixas, but then again, so did pretty much everything else he’s done this year. He’s passed every test thrown at him. His under-23 victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège suggests the Mur de Huy profile should suit him perfectly, and if you’re looking at someone who could light this race up, Seixas is maybe the most exciting name on the start sheet. If you’re new to sports betting, this is the kind of rider who can offer real value.

Mattias Skjelmose Seeks Redemption

Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) pushed Evenepoel hard at Amstel, narrowly missing out on defending his title in a sprint finish. A win at Flèche has always felt inevitable for the Dane. He finished 2nd back in 2023. Bad luck has haunted him since then though, with abandons in the last two editions. This year he’ll be hungry. His teammate Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) has been quieter in recent weeks but finished 5th on his last appearance in 2023 and can’t be dismissed.

French Contenders Line Up in Force

The last French winner of Flèche was Julian Alaphilippe in 2021. Several riders beyond Seixas could end that drought.

Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) was aggressive at the Amstel Gold Race, animating the finale before finishing 4th after being distanced by Evenepoel and Skjelmose. The 23-year-old has placed 7th in both his previous Flèche appearances, and his Amstel ride screams confidence. We think he’s ready for a podium step.

Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) has been on fire this season, taking a stage at Paris-Nice and finishing 2nd overall at the Volta a Catalunya. He finished 4th on debut last year at just 22. If he reaches the base of the Mur de Huy for the final time with good legs… anything goes.

Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) thrives in the Ardennes. Consistency hasn’t always been his friend, but he’s in strong form right now with 3rd place finishes at both Brabantse Pijl and Amstel. With Pavel Sivakov and Tim Wellens providing experienced support, UAE should be well positioned. Understanding terms like “form” and “each-way” can help if you’re checking the sports betting glossary before placing any wagers.

Ineos Grenadiers bring a French trio of their own: Kévin Vauquelin, Axel Laurence, and Dorian Godon. Vauquelin has been runner-up in the previous two editions and made the decisive selection at Amstel before crashing. He finished 50th but if he’s recovered, expect him near the front for a third straight year.

Visma | Lease a Bike Face Injury Concerns

There are real question marks around Visma | Lease a Bike. Matteo Jorgenson crashed out of Amstel with a broken collarbone, and Ben Tulett was unable to start. His fitness for Flèche remains uncertain. In their absence, Jørgen Nordhagen (Visma | Lease a Bike) could seize an opportunity. The 21-year-old Norwegian finished 2nd on GC at O Gran Camiño, a race full of punchy climbs. He placed 25th here last year and could make a significant jump.

Tobias Halland Johannessen and the Dark Horses

Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) is combative by nature. The 26-year-old Norwegian tends to feature when races splinter early, and he has genuine punch for the Mur de Huy, as his 6th place finish in 2024 proved. He arrives with momentum after securing 3rd on GC at the final stage of Itzulia Basque Country.

Two teams that might fly under the radar are Cofidis and XDS Astana. Ion Izagirre and Alex Aranburu both pack a punch for Cofidis, coming off strong performances at Itzulia Basque Country, with former winner Dylan Teuns adding experience. XDS Astana‘s Christian Scaroni feels overdue for a big Ardennes result, supported by Clément Champoussin and Diego Ulissi.

Other names to keep an eye on: former winners Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi (Tudor), Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost), Quinten Hermans (Pinarello-Q36.5), Valentin Paret-Peintre and Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal Quick-Step), Iván Romeo and Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar), Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla), and Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarché).

Whatever happens, the Mur de Huy will deliver its verdict. Always remember to gamble responsibly if you’re placing bets on the outcome. You can read more about your rights as a player and our editorial principles for full transparency on how we cover events like this.