Fleche Wallone: Fighting Up the Huy

Fleche Wallone ends after 199 kilometers with a one and a half kilometer climb up a wall called the Mur du Huy (or the Murder) that has 19 percent gradient sections with an average of 11 percent.  The finish line is at the top of the third time up this climb so it is here that the race is won or lost.  Part of the challenge is waiting long enough to put in your attack, go too soon and you will burst before the top, wait too long and you will run out of real estate before you reach the finish.  This is the point of absolute effort by Bauke Mollema (Belkin Pro Cycling), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Michal Kwiatkowski (OPQS), Dan Martin (Garmin Sharp) and Romain Kreuziger (Tinkoff-Saxo), with less than 500 meters to the line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2352153---195767/Painting.html#.U1iPiMvD_IU