Diego Ulissi shines in the Flèche Wallonne – podium finish

Diego Ulissi showed excellent condition and an aggressive attitude in La Flèche Wallonne today to finish third. Just a few days before the Ardennes Classics closes with Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Italian finished on the podium behind winner Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Jakob Fuglsang (Team Astana).

The race was full-out from the very beginning and left only 30 riders to play for victory on the last time up the Mur de Huy.

“Today I was very good,” said Ulissi, “I moved on the last lap as planned, but then I saw that behind, they didn’t let us go free. When they brought me back, as our leader Daniel Martin was no longer in the game, I tried to save as much energy as possible and take on the last climb the best I could.

“I must say that I made a great final climb, very consistent. I was also a little surprised because the last 200 metres have always been a bit impossible for me, but not this time. We also moved very well as a team, first with Henao in the breakaway of the first lap, and then with Rui Costa, who tried to help me in the final.

“On Sunday, we have Liège-Bastogne-Liège, one of my favourite races. I head there with a good physical condition. We must continue like this!”

Finishing order

1 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:55:14

2 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team s.t.

3 Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +6’’