La Flèche Wallonne preview: the date, time, route, odds and TV schedule

Published 29/03/2017 at 12:16 GMT

What's the date, time, route, odds and TV schedule for La Flèche Wallonne?

Le mur de Huy sera la juge de paix de la 3e étape du Tour de France 2015

Image credit: AFP

Alejandro Valverde and the Mur de Huy have a bond that's going to be difficult to break.

The Spanish 36-year-old is gunning for his fifth win in La Flèche Wallonne and hasn't been beaten up the notorious final climb for the past three years. He's got form to take into the race too, with a dominant performance in the Tour of Catalunya already under his belt this season.

Valverde is the man to beat in the Ardennes, but don't count out the likes of Dan Martin, who is hopeful of finally getting the better of his rival this time around:

Flèche Wallonne

Alejandro Valverde claims record fifth overall Fleche Wallonne title

00:00:48

19/04/2017 at 19:06

We’re going in with a team that’s full of confidence and belief that we can get results there this year. I know that after this block of racing I’m going to get there in the best possible condition and I’m looking forward to giving it a crack. I know I’ve got to beat Alejandro sometime.

WHEN IS THE RACE?

The 2017 edition of the La Flèche Wallonne is on Wednesday 19 April.

WHAT’S THE ROUTE?

Nine climbs in the final 83km are the trademark of La Flèche Wallonne, with the notorious Wall of Huy reaching an eye-watering 17% gradient as the finale to the race.

Over 200km will be ridden in total, but it's that hilly stretch in the second half of the race where the drama will happen, with a showdown all-but guaranteed on the legendary last ascent.