[ad_1]
Source: Keystone
Marc Hirschi continues to ride a wave of successes. Three days after his 3rd place in the World Championship road race, the young Bernese won the Belgian Ardennes classic Flèche Wallonne en Huy.
After 202 km from Herve to Huy, Hirschi won the mountain sprint ahead of Frenchman Benoît Cosnefroy and Canadian Michael Woods. The 22-year-old from German team Sunweb had the best stages on the 1.3km long, 9.3 percent steep Mur de Huy final ascent and gave Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar a chance. The Slovenian finished the race in ninth position.
Hirschi is only the second Swiss after Ferdy Kübler to win the Flèche Wallone. Kübler triumphed twice in this historic race in 1951 and 1952.
Sunday: Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Hirschi can recall a very successful moment since the restart of the cycling season in August. Exactly one month a day ago, the 2018 U23 world champion caused a stir for the first time with a second place finish on the second stage of the Tour de France. With a stage win and another podium spot, Hirschi secured the award for the most combative rider on the tour after three weeks.
At the young age of 22, Hirschi was already one of the favorites in the World Championship road race in Imola last Sunday. However, Ittiger lived up to its new status and secured the bronze medal in the victory of Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe.
After his victories in the last two years, Alaphilippe decided not to participate in the Flèche Wallone to enjoy a little more relaxation with a view to Sunday’s classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège. At the third cycling monument of the year, the Frenchman will meet again with Hirschi, who will compete with another sense of achievement in his legs.
[ad_2]
