'We've just got to hope he's getting slow': Dan Martin hoping to finally conquer Valverde at Flèche Wallonne

The slightly tougher route of the mid-week Ardennes Classic should play into the Irishman's favour

Dan Martin and Alejandro Valverde at Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2017 (Sunada)

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Though he’s finished on the podium at Flèche Wallonne three times, and in the top 10 a further two occasions, Dan Martin is yet to win the hilly Belgian Classic.

Starting in Seraing near Liège, Wednesday’s 198.5km race is two kilometres shorter than last year’s event, but has 11 classified climbs spread throughout the parcours, rather than the eight backloaded ascents of 2017. The finish line has not moved, however, which the line coming at the top of the fearsome Mur de Huy and its 20 per cent gradients.

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Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.