Astarloa Wins La Fleche Wallonne
Igor Astarloa (Saeco) has won La Fleche Wallonne. The Basque rider outsprinted countryman Aitor Osa (iBanesto.com) to win the 199.5-km race in 4:39:17. Osa finished second at 0:16, and Alexander Shefer (Saeco) was third at 0:56.
The day's first break was its big one. On the first descent of the Mur de Huy, 15 riders, among whom was Astarloa, attacked. The 15 men forged a two-minute lead. The peloton chased but never got closer than 1:12 at 176 km.
At 176 km, Astarloa attacked and Osa joined him. The two stayed together until 200 m remained. Astarloa put in an attack that the iBanesto.com rider could not match. Astarloa is the first Spaniard to win La Fleche Wallonne.