Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) displayed the form that earned him a set of World Championship stripes last year in capturing the 74th La Flèche Wallonne.
In the frenzied final rush up the famous Mur de Huy, the 33-year old Australian showed the uncanny patience of a man seemingly in complete control of his environment before unleashing his own decisive burst of power. Evans would stream past a host of Spanish climbers, including Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador (Astana), in the final kilometers to take the second of the three Ardennes Classics.
"I've finished second, fifth, ninth - I've finished in every position but first in Flèche Wallonne, so to win is fantastic," Evans would tell Cyclingnews. "It seems I came here with good legs and it's certainly my best result...It's a good morale booster for the team. We've been close to victory but this is a good way to do it. Better late than never."
Contador would end up third on the day; a step below his countryman, Joaquin Rodriguez (Team Katusha) on the podium.
Results
1. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
2. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha
3. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
Other Notables
5. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
6. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
7. Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack
8. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
9. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions
13. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo
14. Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
15. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0:00:19
18. Daniel Martin (Can) Garmin - Transitions
20. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
24. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team Radioshack
25. Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Spa) Team Radioshack
42. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
48. Peter Stetina (USA) Garmin - Transitions
52. Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia
67. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team
79. Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Quick Step
87. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
88. Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
89. Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
94. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo
98. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Astana
100. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank
121. Craig Lewis (USA) Team HTC - Columbia
123. Christian Meier (Can) Garmin - Transitions
127. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team
DNF Steven Cozza (USA) Garmin - Transitions
DNF Trent Lowe (Aus) Garmin - Transitions
DNF Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - Transitions
DNF Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Katusha
DNF Jackson Stewart (USA) BMC Racing Team
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