Astarloa Wins La Fleche Wallonne

News & Results

05/2/2003| 0 comments
by Gerald Churchill
Astarloa crosses the finish line. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.
Astarloa crosses the finish line. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Astarloa Wins La Fleche Wallonne

Igor Astarloa (Saeco) has won 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.

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