No/Spoiler Cycling Union Cycliste Internationale · Race Sheet · Season MMXXVI
Document NSC/LA-FLECHE-WA
Built 2026-04-20
Calendar/April 2026/La Flèche Wallonne
1.UWT ★★★★ Wednesday, April 22, 2026

La Flèche Wallonne

The 90th edition of La Flèche Wallonne runs 208.8km from Herstal (a new host city in the Liège area) to Huy, featuring three ascents of the iconic Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6% average, peaking near 20%) at km 134.4, km 171, and at the finish line (km 208.8). The opening 100km delivers the peloton to the finishing circuits via two early climbs - Côte de Trasenster (km 18.2) and Côte des Forges (km 48.8) - before entering the 37.2km finishing loop that includes Côte d'Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) and Côte de Cherave (1.3km at 8.1%) immediately before each Mur de Huy ascent. The race is almost always decided on the final Mur, with the explosive 'slow-motion sprint' up its 20% slopes traditionally crowning a pure puncheur.

§ Watch

Where to watch

🇺🇸United States
Peacock
streaming · LIVE-AND-REPLAY · $
ASO race rights on Peacock (separate from Flanders Classics on FloBikes). Wed Apr 22; men's start ~04:10 ET, finish ~09:15 ET. $10.99/mo Premium.
NBC Sports YouTube →HIGHLIGHTS · free
🇨🇦Canada
FloBikes
streaming · LIVE-AND-REPLAY · $
Live coverage from 06:45 EDT. CA$49.99/mo or CA$215.88/yr.
🇬🇧United Kingdom
TNT Sports 2 / HBO Max
streaming · LIVE-AND-REPLAY · $
Cycling moved Discovery+ → HBO Max on March 26, 2026. Men's coverage from 11:45 BST. £30.99/mo or £25.99/mo on 12-month Saver plan.
🇦🇺Australia
SBS On Demand
free · LIVE-AND-REPLAY · free
Free-to-air on SBS Viceland + SBS On Demand.

⚠️ Spoiler warning: live streams and broadcaster home pages may show current standings. Disable autoplay & avoid sidebar recommendations on YouTube.

§ 02 — Route Schematic placeholder

La Flèche Wallonne

Start Finish 00.0 KM 202 KM
Schematic built from sector/climb count — not geographically accurate. Real map coming later.
§ 02b — Key Climbs

Where the race is made

190.6km to go
3
Côte de Trasenster
160km to go
3
Côte des Forges
92.8km to go
3
Côte d'Ereffe (1st)
2.1 km
5%
80.1km to go
3
Côte de Cherave (1st)
1.3 km
8.1%
74.4km to go
2
Mur de Huy (1st)
1.3 km
9.6% · max 20%
55.6km to go
3
Côte d'Ereffe (2nd)
2.1 km
5%
42.9km to go
3
Côte de Cherave (2nd)
1.3 km
8.1%
37.8km to go
2
Mur de Huy (2nd)
1.3 km
9.6% · max 20%
18.4km to go
3
Côte d'Ereffe (3rd)
2.1 km
5%
5.7km to go
3
Côte de Cherave (3rd)
1.3 km
8.1%
0km to go
2
Mur de Huy (finish)
1.3 km
9.6% · max 20%
§ 04 — Favourites

Who to watch

№ 01 · TIME-TRIALIST
R. Evenepoel
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe
UCI #6★★★★
№ 02 · ONE-DAY
T. Pidcock
Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
UCI #7★★★★
№ 03 · CLIMBER
J. Ayuso
Lidl - Trek
UCI #12★★★★
№ 04 · CLIMBER
G. Ciccone
Lidl - Trek
UCI #13★★★★
№ 05 · ONE-DAY
C. Scaroni
XDS Astana Team
UCI #14★★★★
№ 06 · ONE-DAY
B. Healy
EF Education - EasyPost
UCI #22★★★
§ 05 — Storylines

Narratives to watch

§ 04 — Historical Context

Form book & lore

First run in 1936, La Flèche Wallonne ('The Walloon Arrow') is the second-oldest race in the Ardennes triptych. Originally a Tournai-to-Liège point-to-point, the race was transformed in 1985 when the finish moved to the summit of the Mur de Huy. That decision made the Mur one of the most iconic climbs in pro cycling - 1.3km of twisting, fan-lined road rising to 20%. The finish has produced the famous 'slow-motion sprint' where riders are reduced to grinding turnovers in the final metres. Recent editions have also seen the addition of the Côte d'Ereffe and Côte de Cherave in the finale to create more selective racing before the Mur. Alejandro Valverde's five wins remain the record; Julian Alaphilippe and Tadej Pogačar are among recent multiple winners.

§ 07 — Viewing Notes

When to tune in

Flèche Wallonne is often a TV tactic race - tune in for the final 60km when the circuits begin. The second Mur de Huy at 37.8km to go is the tactical benchmark; the third Cherave at 5.7km to go is where the winning move often begins. Every edition features the final 1.3km on the Mur as destination viewing - the 'slow-motion sprint' is unique in cycling. Spoiler caution: the Mur summit finish is heavily covered, so YouTube previews and sidebar recommendations often contain the outcome.