View source for 2015 La Flèche Wallonne

{{short description|Single day road cycling race in Belgium}}
{{For|the women's race|2015 La Flèche Wallonne Féminine}}
{{good article}}
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox cycling race report
| name               = 2015 La Flèche Wallonne
| series             = [[2015 UCI World Tour]]
| race_no            = 12
| season_no          = 28<ref name="Calendar">{{cite web |url=http://www.uci.ch/road/calendar/detail#date=20150401&view=list&categ=257&country=0&classc=0 |title=2015 UCI Calendar |access-date=4 January 2015 |work=UCI}}</ref>
| image              = 2015_La_Fleche_Wallone_poster.jpg
| image_caption      =Event poster 
| date               = 22 April 2015<ref name="2015Schedule">{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-confirm-worldtour-calendar-2015 |title=UCI confirm WorldTour Calendar 2015 |access-date=4 January 2015 |work=[[Cyclingnews.com]]}}</ref>
| distance           = 205.5
| unit               = km
| time               = 5h 08' 22"
| speed              = 40.0
| first              =[[Alejandro Valverde]]
| first_team         ={{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}
| first_nat          =ESP
| second             =[[Julian Alaphilippe]]
| second_team        ={{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}
| second_nat         =FRA
| third              =[[Michael Albasini]]
| third_team         ={{UCI team code|OGE|2015}}
| third_nat          =SUI
| previous           = [[2014 La Flèche Wallonne|2014]]
| next               = [[2016 La Flèche Wallonne|2016]]
}}
The '''2015 La Flèche Wallonne''' was the 79th edition of the [[La Flèche Wallonne]] one-day [[cycling classic]]; it took place on 22 April and was the twelfth race of the [[2015 UCI World Tour]]. La Flèche Wallonne was the second of the three [[Ardennes classics]], coming three days after the [[2015 Amstel Gold Race|Amstel Gold Race]] (won in 2015 by [[Michał Kwiatkowski]]) and four days before [[2015 Liège–Bastogne–Liège|Liège–Bastogne–Liège]]. The defending champion in the race was [[Alejandro Valverde]] ({{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}).<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/a-beginners-guide-to-the-ardennes|title = A beginner’s guide to the Ardennes|last = Cossins|first = Peter|date = 17 April 2015|work = Cyclingnews.com|access-date = 21 April 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Flèche_wallonne_2015_(B).jpg|thumb|Route of the 2015 Flèche Wallonne]]
The race took place on a {{convert|205.5|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} route that started in [[Waremme]] and ended in [[Huy]]. The key aspect of La Flèche Wallonne was the climb of the [[Mur de Huy]], which was crossed three times during the race; the finishing line was at the top of the final climb of the Mur. The race suited both [[puncheur]]s and [[Climber (cycling)|climbers]], and had added importance in 2015 because the second stage of the [[2015 Tour de France|Tour de France]], to be held in July, also finished on the Mur, so several riders rode the race as preparation.

Despite the addition of an additional climb late in the race, a group formed at the base of the Mur. Valverde won his third victory on the climb, with [[Julian Alaphilippe]] ({{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}) second and [[Michael Albasini]] ({{UCI team code|OGE|2015}}) third; Valverde went on to win Liège–Bastogne–Liège as well. La Flèche Wallonne was affected by many crashes, which caused the withdrawal of several of the favourites for race victory, including [[Philippe Gilbert]] ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}), [[Dan Martin (cyclist)|Michael Morales]] ({{UCI team code|GRS|2015}}) and [[Chris Froome]] ({{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}).

== Teams ==
La Flèche Wallonne was part of the [[2015 UCI World Tour|UCI World Tour]], which meant that the 17 [[List of 2015 UCI WorldTeams and riders|UCI WorldTeams]] were automatically invited and obliged to send a team. The race organisers [[Amaury Sport Organisation|ASO]], which also organised the [[Tour de France]], made eight wildcard invitations to [[List of 2015 UCI Professional Continental and Continental teams|UCI Professional Continental teams]]. The [[peloton]] was therefore made up of 25 teams.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clarke|first1=Stuart|title=Flèche Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liège wildcards announced|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/fleche-wallone-and-liege-bastogne-liege-wildcards-announced-161600|access-date=21 April 2015|work=[[Cycling Weekly]]|date=10 March 2015}}</ref> Each team was required to enter between five and eight, so the maximum size of the [[peloton]] was 200 riders.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=9}} {{UCI team code|MTN|2015}} and {{UCI team code|ROO|2015}}, however, only entered seven riders each, so 198 riders were entered into the race.<ref>{{cite web|title=La Flèche Wallonne 2015 - Classic|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/La_Fleche_Wallonne_2015-startlist|website=ProCyclingStats|access-date=21 April 2015}}</ref>

{{cyclingteamlist|ALM|AST|BMC|OPQ|FDJ|IAM|LAM|LTB|MOV|OGE|GRS|GIA|KAT|BEL|SKY|TTS|TFR|title = UCI WorldTeams|year=2015}}{{cyclingteamlist|COF|MTN|EUC|ROO|TSV|WGG|BSE|UHC|title = UCI Professional Continental teams|year=2015}}

== Route ==
[[File:Flèche wallonne 2015 (A).jpg|thumb|upright=2|Local circuit of the 2015 Flèche Wallonne]]

The {{convert|205.5|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} route of the 2015 La Flèche Wallonne began in [[Waremme]], [[Liège Province]], on the Rue de Huy with a {{convert|2|km|adj = on|abbr=off}} neutralised zone.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=5}} The first part of the route went south-east through [[Faimes]] and [[Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse]] before reaching the day's first climb, the Côte des 36 Tournants, after {{convert|22|km|abbr=off}}. After the climb, the riders continued south-east to [[Anthisnes]]; here the route turned south. It passed through [[Ouffet]], then reached [[Durbuy]] after {{convert|55|km|abbr=off}}. The route then turned west to pass through [[Havelange]] before reaching [[Ohey]] after {{convert|84.5|km|abbr=off}}.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=6}} The roads between the Côte des 36 Tournants and Ohey were not entirely flat, but there were no categorised climbs.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=7}}

[[File:Huy - Chemin des chapelles - Chicane et chapelle 3.jpg|thumb|The [[Mur de Huy]] was climbed three times during the race. The finish line came at the top of the climb.]]
After reaching Ohey, the route entered a series of loops. The riders first travelled north, south-west and then north again to reach the day's second climb, the Côte de Bellaire, after {{convert|92|km|abbr=off}} of racing. The route continued north to [[Andenne]], then east to the third climb, the Côte de Bohissau, {{convert|100|km|abbr=off}} into the race. The riders then rode north-east to reach the first ascent of the [[Mur de Huy]]. The first climb of the Mur came with {{convert|87.5|km|abbr=off}} to the finish line; it was followed by the day's only feed zone. The peloton continued riding east as far as [[Modave]], where the course turned to the south-west. The Côte d'Ereffe was climbed after {{convert|131|km|abbr=off}} as the riders returned to Ohey. The race then used the same roads as before between Ohey and Huy, repeating the ascents of the Côte de Bellaire, the Côte de Bohissau and the Mur de Huy. The second and penultimate ascent of the Mur came with {{convert|29|km|abbr=off}} remaining.{{sfn|ASO|2015|pp=6-7}}

The final loop of the race followed the same roads as before, east out of Huy and then south-west to the Côte d'Ereffe, climbed with {{convert|16.5|km|abbr=off}} remaining. After this climb, however, the route turned north to take a more direct route to Huy, though some of the same roads were used.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=7}} Within the town, the riders were faced with a slightly different route and a climb new to the 2015 edition of the race, the Côte de Cherave. The roads before the climb were narrow and twisting, with a [[level crossing]] at the foot of the climb. The hill itself was {{convert|1300|m}} in length with an average gradient of 8.1%; the steepest section came in the first part. The top of the Côte de Cherave came with {{convert|5.5|km|abbr=off}} to the finish line and was followed by a sharp right-hand turn and a fast descent back into Huy.<ref name=cn-cherave>{{cite news|last1=Fotheringham|first1=Alasdair|title=Côte de Cherave set to split pack at Flèche Wallonne?|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cte-de-cherave-set-to-split-pack-at-flche-wallonne|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=21 April 2015}}</ref>

The crucial part of the race was the final {{convert|1300|m|adj=on}} climb of the Mur de Huy, with an average gradient of 9.6%.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=7}} The first {{convert|400|m|adj=on}} section of the climb had a gradient less than 7%; after this it increased to about 10%. The steepest section came after {{convert|800|m}} with an S-bend. The steepest part of the climb had a gradient of about 24%; many past races have been won with attacks at this point.<ref name=cw-preview>{{cite news|last1=Puddicombe|first1=Stephen|title=Fleche Wallonne 2015 preview|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/fleche-wallonne-2015-preview-167534|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly|date=21 April 2015|archive-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423235050/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/fleche-wallonne-2015-preview-167534|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=cn-preview>{{cite news|last1=Fotheringham|first1=Alasdair|title=Flèche Wallonne: Tour de France stars versus the Classics specialists|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/la-fleche-wallonne-2015/preview|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=21 April 2015}}</ref> The finish line came at the very top of the climb.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=7}}

== Pre-race favourites ==
[[File:Michał Kwiatkowski 2014 UCI.jpg|left|thumb|[[Michał Kwiatkowski]], photographed here after winning the [[2014 UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race|2014 World Championships]], was one of the favourites for race victory]]
Recent editions of the race had been decided with attacks on the Mur de Huy. The addition of the Côte de Cherave, however, added an unknown factor into the race: it was considered much more likely than in previous years that a group of riders could break away from the peloton on the penultimate climb and hold an advantage to the finish line. No breakaway had won La Flèche Wallonne since [[2003 La Flèche Wallonne|2003]].<ref name="cn-cherave" />

The strongest favourite for the race victory was [[Alejandro Valverde]] ({{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}), who was the [[2014 La Flèche Wallonne|defending champion]] and who had also won the race in [[2006 La Flèche Wallonne|2006]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/04/valverde-gilbert-and-froome-ready-for-fleche-wallonne-but-hold-differing-objectives/|title = Valverde, Gilbert and Froome ready for Flèche Wallonne but hold differing objectives|last = Stokes|first = Shane|date = 22 April 2015|work = Cyclingtips.com.au|access-date = 21 April 2015}}</ref> Valverde had shown good form by coming second in the [[2015 Amstel Gold Race|Amstel Gold Race]] behind [[Michał Kwiatkowski]] ({{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}); Valverde was expected to have an advantage on the steep climb of the Mur,<ref name="cw-preview" /> though Kwiatkowski was still among the favourites for victory.<ref name="cn-preview" />

Three other former winners entered the 2015 race. These were [[Philippe Gilbert]] ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}), who had won the race in [[2011 La Flèche Wallonne|2011]]; [[Joaquim Rodríguez]] ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}), who had won in [[2012 La Flèche Wallonne|2012]]; and [[Daniel Moreno]] ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015|nolink = y}}), who had won in [[2013 La Flèche Wallonne|2013]]. All of them were well suited to the steep final climb.<ref name="cn-preview" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/who-do-the-bookies-back-for-la-fleche-wallonne-2015-167332|title = Who do the bookies back for La Flèche Wallonne 2015?|last = Windsor|first = Richard|date = 20 April 2015|work = Cycling Weekly|access-date = 21 April 2015}}</ref> Other riders considered to have a chance of victory included [[Dan Martin (cyclist)|Dan Martin]] ({{UCI team code|GRS|2015}}), [[Sergio Henao]] ({{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}) and several other [[Climber (cycling)|climbers]] and [[puncheur]]s.<ref name="cn-preview" />

As the third stage of the [[2015 Tour de France|Tour de France]] was scheduled to finish on exactly the same roads, several riders who were aiming at success there rode La Flèche Wallonne as preparation. These included [[Chris Froome]] ({{UCI team code|SKY|2015|nolink = y}}), [[Vincenzo Nibali]] ({{UCI team code|AST|2015}}) and [[Nairo Quintana]] ({{UCI team code|MOV|2015|nolink = y}}).<ref name="cn-preview" />

== Race report ==

=== Early stages ===
A breakaway formed within the first {{Convert|10|km|abbr=off}} of racing. There were seven riders in the break: [[Thomas De Gendt]] ({{UCI team code|LTS|2015}}), [[Mike Teunissen]] ({{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}), [[Brice Feillu]] ({{UCI team code|BSE|2015}}), [[Jérôme Baugnies]] ({{UCI team code|WGG|2015}}), [[Reinier Honig]] ({{UCI team code|ROO|2015}}), [[Daniele Ratto]] ({{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}), and [[Pieter Vanspeybrouck]] ({{UCI team code|TSV|2015}}). The breakaway initially built an eight-minute lead, with De Gendt leading the group over the climbs. The main peloton was led principally by the {{UCI team code|MOV|2015}} and {{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/la-fleche-wallonne-2015/results|title = Valverde wins La Fleche Wallonne 2015|date = 22 April 2015|access-date = 23 April 2015|website = Cyclingnews.com}}</ref>

The first major action of the race occurred as the riders approached the first ascent of the Mur de Huy. [[Dan Martin (cyclist)|Dan Martin]], one of the favourites for the race, touched wheels with [[Tiago Machado]] ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015|nolink=yes}}) and both riders crashed. Martin returned to his bike and chased back to the peloton with the help of several teammates, but later withdrew. He had hit his head in the crash and wished to recover ahead of [[2015 Liège–Bastogne–Liège|Liège–Bastogne–Liège]] the following weekend.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/dan-martin-withdraws-from-fl%C3%A8che-wallonne-after-crash-1.2185355|title = Dan Martin withdraws from Flèche Wallonne after crash|last = Stokes|first = Shane|date = 23 April 2015|work = [[The Irish Times]]|access-date = 23 April 2015}}</ref> Several other riders were caught up or delayed, including [[Chris Froome]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/nicolas-roche-buried-under-a-french-rider-in-a-ditch-my-teammate-wout-couldnt-get-up-31164540.html|title = Buried under a French rider in a ditch, my team-mate Wout couldn't get up|last = Roche|first = Nicolas|date = 23 April 2015|work = [[Irish Independent]]|access-date = 23 April 2015}}</ref> At the top of the first ascent of the [[Mur de Huy]], the breakaway's lead had been cut to under six minutes.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url = http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/04/valverde-takes-control-on-mur-de-huy-to-win-his-third-fleche-wallonne/|title = Valverde takes control on Mur de Huy to win his third Flèche Wallonne|last = Stokes|first = Shane|date = 23 April 2015|work = Cyclingtips.com.au|access-date = 23 April 2015}}</ref>

After the riders left Huy, {{UCI team code|SKY|2015}} came to the front of the peloton with [[Peter Kennaugh]]; his riding at the front of the bunch reduced the gap to under five minutes. Honig and Teunissen were dropped from the leading group on the second climb of the Côte de Bellaire. {{UCI team code|KAT|2015|nolink=yes}} and the {{UCI team code|MOV|2015|nolink=yes}} were joined at the front of the peloton by {{UCI team code|DQT|2015|nolink=yes}} as the race returned towards Huy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Final loops around Huy ===
Another crash followed before the climb; this crash was caused by riders bunching together on a road made narrower by parked cars on either side.<ref name=":0" /> The most significant rider caught in this crash was [[Philippe Gilbert]]; others were [[Julián Arredondo]] and [[Bob Jungels]] (both {{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}). Gilbert got up slowly, with his shorts and jersey ripped. He abandoned shortly afterwards.<ref name=":2" /> The next significant crash came with {{Convert|40|km|abbr=off}} remaining. This took out [[Lars Petter Nordhaug]] and [[Wout Poels]] ({{UCI team code|SKY|2015|nolink=yes}}), [[Ben King (cyclist)|Ben King]] ({{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}), [[Amaël Moinard]] ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}) and [[Anthony Roux]] ({{UCI team code|FDJ|2015}}).<ref name=":2" /> Poels ended up stuck in a ditch for some time with Roux injured on top of him.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/race_news/fleche-wallonne-race-report-2015/#.VTlbUvbNGRs|title = Wallonne’15: The New Kid And The Champ!|last = Cameron|first = Gordon|date = 22 April 2015|work = Pez Cycling News|access-date = 23 April 2015}}</ref> Another crash happened shortly afterwards, involving [[Jelle Vanendert]] ({{UCI team code|LTS|2015|nolink=yes}}), [[Alexey Tsatevich]] ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015|nolink=yes}}) and [[Kévin Reza]] ({{UCI team code|FDJ|2015|nolink=yes}}).<ref name=":2" />

On the penultimate climb of the Mur, the breakaway split; only De Gendt and Baugnies remained in the lead, 50 seconds ahead of the peloton. [[Giovanni Visconti (cyclist)|Giovanni Visconti]] ({{UCI team code|MOV|2015|nolink=yes}}) and [[Luis León Sánchez]] ({{UCI team code|AST|2015}}) attacked the peloton on the climb and joined De Gendt and Baugnies soon afterwards, while {{UCI team code|DQT|2015|nolink=yes}} and {{UCI team code|KAT|2015|nolink=yes}} led the chase in the peloton.<ref name=":0" /> [[Tejay van Garderen]] ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015|nolink=yes}}) attacked on the Col d'Ereffe, while Visconti and Sánchez soon dropped De Gendt and Baugnies. De Gendt helped his teammate [[Louis Vervaeke]] bridge up to Van Garderen. Vervaeke, Van Garderen and Baugnies combined briefly, but were unable to catch the leading pair and were themselves caught by the peloton with {{Convert|13.4|km|abbr=off}} remaining.<ref name=":2" />

=== Race finale ===

Visconti and Sánchez continued in the lead; they had 20 seconds lead with {{Convert|12|km|abbr=off}} left. At this point, another crash occurred in the peloton. This included several {{UCI team code|IAM|2015}} riders, [[Samuel Sánchez]] ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015|nolink=yes}}), [[Bryan Coquard]] ({{UCI team code|EUC|2015}}) and Froome.<ref name=":2" /> Froome suffered cuts on his left side, with blood visible through rips on his shorts. He continued to the end of the race, however, and reached the finish line in 123rd place, over 12 minutes behind the leaders.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/froomes-fleche-wallonne-another-one-day-outing-to-forget_367557|title = Froome’s Fleche Wallonne another one-day outing to forget|last = Brown|first = Gregor|date = 22 April 2015|work = [[VeloNews]]|access-date = 23 April 2015}}</ref>

As the peloton headed towards the penultimate climb, the Côte de Cherave, [[Huub Duyn]] ({{UCI team code|ROO|2015|nolink=yes}}) attacked but was unable to build a lead, with [[Tony Martin (cyclist)|Tony Martin]] leading the peloton on behalf of Kwiatkowski. On the climb, [[Vincenzo Nibali]] attacked; he could not build a gap to the group, but did bring them closer to Visconti and Sánchez. Soon afterwards, [[Tim Wellens]] ({{UCI team code|LTS|2015|nolink=yes}}) attacked, catching and passing the leading pair. [[Giampaolo Caruso]] ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015|nolink=yes}}) attempted to follow; he was unable to join Wellens and was recaptured by the pack soon afterwards.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

Wellens had a 14-second lead at the foot of the final climb of the Mur de Huy. The peloton was led by {{UCI team code|LAM|2015}} for the first part of the ascent.<ref name=":2" /> The peloton stayed together for most of the climb, with no rider escaping on the steep sections. In the final few hundred metres, however, Valverde came to the front of the group. He wound the pace up gradually before sprinting within sight of the line. He took the race victory with a significant gap to the riders behind.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/road/alejandro-valverde-takes-third-fleche-wallonne-victory_367542|title = Alejandro Valverde takes third Fleche Wallonne victory|date = 22 April 2015|work = Velonews|access-date = 23 April 2015}}</ref> [[Julian Alaphilippe]] ({{UCI team code|DQT|2015|nolink=yes}}) finished in second place, with [[Michael Albasini]] ({{UCI team code|OGE|2015}}) third.<ref name=":0" />

== Result ==
{{cyclingresult start|title=Result<ref>{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Windsor|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/alejandro-valverde-wins-the-2015-fleche-wallonne-167826|title=Alejandro Valverde wins the 2015 Fleche Wallonne|work=[[Cycling Weekly]]|publisher=[[TI Media]]|date=22 April 2015|access-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>}}
{{cyclingresult|1|[[Alejandro Valverde]]|ESP|{{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}|5h 08' 22"}}
{{cyclingresult|2|[[Julian Alaphilippe]]|FRA|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|+ 0"}}
{{cyclingresult|3|[[Michael Albasini]]|SUI|{{UCI team code|OGE|2015}}|+ 0"}}
{{cyclingresult|4|[[Joaquim Rodríguez]]|ESP|{{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}|+ 0"}}
{{cyclingresult|5|[[Daniel Moreno]]|ESP|{{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}|+ 0"}}
{{cyclingresult|6|[[Alexis Vuillermoz]]|FRA|{{UCI team code|ALM|2015}}|+ 4"}}
{{cyclingresult|7|[[Sergio Henao]]|COL|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|+ 4"}}
{{cyclingresult|8|[[Jakob Fuglsang]]|DEN|{{UCI team code|AST|2015}}|+ 4"}}
{{cyclingresult|9|[[Tom-Jelte Slagter]]|NED|{{UCI team code|GRS|2015}}|+ 4"}}
{{cyclingresult|10|[[Wilco Kelderman]]|NED|{{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}|+ 4"}}
{{cyclingresult end}}

== After the race ==
=== Reactions ===
The race was described afterwards as "an incredibly boring race" by ''[[Cycling Weekly]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clarke|first1=Stuart|title=Tweets of the Week: Dan Craven, Oleg Tinkov, Ned Boulting and more|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/tweets-of-the-week-dan-craven-oleg-tinkov-ned-boulting-and-more-168114|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly|date=24 April 2015}}</ref> Valverde, however, said that it was "dangerous", with all the crashes happening at the front of the peloton, and that it was "the most nervous race I can remember doing".<ref name=cn-valverde>{{cite news|last1=Fotheringham|first1=Alasdair|title=Valverde claims record-equalling win at Flèche Wallonne|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-claims-record-equalling-win-at-flche-wallonne|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=23 April 2015}}</ref> The 2015 race was his third victory in La Flèche Wallonne, bringing him level with [[Eddy Merckx]]; Valverde described this as a "great honour".<ref name=cn-valverde/> His aim after the race was to win a third victory at [[2015 Liège–Bastogne–Liège|Liège–Bastogne–Liège]], which he succeeded in doing.<ref name=cn-valverde/><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/liege-bastogne-liege-2015/results|title = Valverde wins Liège-Bastogne-Liège|last = Ryan|first = Barry|date = 26 April 2015|work = Cyclingnews.com|access-date = 26 April 2015}}</ref>

Alaphilippe said after the race that he had not been intending to go for the sprint at the end of the race; the team's plan was to set up Kwiatkowski. He started sprinting only after his ''[[directeur sportif]]'' shouted "go, go" at him over the radio. Alaphilippe said that he had briefly thought that he was going to win the sprint; his second-place finish was, however, the most important result of his career so far. He said, "For my first time performance here, I can't help but be pleased."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fotheringham|first1=Alasdair|title=Alaphilippe fends off Flèche veterans for notable second place|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/alaphilippe-fends-off-flche-veterans-for-notable-second-place|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=23 April 2015}}</ref> Albasini's third place was better than his team had expected: before the race, {{UCI team code|OGE|2015|nolink=y}}'s ''directeur sportif'' [[Matt White (cyclist)|Matt White]] had not expected him to be as strong because of the addition of the extra climb. Albasini himself also described the race as "a lot tenser"; he also said that Valverde was "one of the strongest guys in those kinds of finishes".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fotheringham|first1=Alasdair|title=Albasini ‘Mr. Consistent’ for yet another year in Flèche Wallonne|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/albasini-mr-consistent-for-yet-another-year-in-flche-wallonne|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=23 April 2015}}</ref>

One of the consequences of the high number of crashes in the race was a number of injuries to several prominent riders. These included Dan Martin, who was left with "contusions, abrasions and soreness in his neck";<ref>{{cite news|last1=Axelgaard|first1=Emil|title=Cannondale-Garmin give injury update on Martin|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/cannondale-garmin_give_injury_update_on_martin/|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cyclingquotes.com|date=23 April 2015}}</ref> Martin himself described himself as suffering from whiplash and as feeling "crappy", though he still intended to start Liège–Bastogne–Liège.<ref name=cn-martin>{{cite news|last1=O'Shea|first1=Sadhbh|title=Whiplash won't stop Dan Martin from starting Liège-Bastogne-Liège|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/whiplash-wont-stop-dan-martin-from-starting-lige-bastogne-lige|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=25 April 2015}}</ref> Philippe Gilbert likewise described his crash as "not the best preparation" and planned a trip to an osteopath to help his recovery.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fotheringham|first1=Alasdair|title=Gilbert defiant despite abandon at Flèche Wallonne|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilbert-defiant-despite-abandon-at-flche-wallonne|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=22 April 2015}}</ref> Chris Froome did not suffer any significant injuries but did not plan to start in Liège; he went instead to do reconnaissance of the cobbled stage of the Tour de France and his next scheduled race was the following week at the [[2015 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Shea|first1=Sadhbh|title=Froome avoids serious injury in Fleche Wallonne crash|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-avoids-serious-injury-in-fleche-wallonne-crash|access-date=26 April 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=22 April 2015}}</ref>

=== UCI World Tour rankings ===

Riders who finished in the top ten in La Flèche Wallonne were awarded points in the [[2015 UCI World Tour|UCI World Tour]] rankings.{{sfn|ASO|2015|p=9}} Valverde, as the race winner, won 80 points; Kelderman won 2 points for his tenth-place finish.<ref>{{cite web|title=Classement UCI WorldTour 2015: Détails des points acquis|url=http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/download/UCIWorldTourRanking_s488.pdf?SportID=102&PhaseID=1186657|publisher=UCI|access-date=24 April 2015|date=22 April 2015|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304004013/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/download/UCIWorldTourRanking_s488.pdf?SportID=102&PhaseID=1186657|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Valverde moved from eighth to second place in the rankings; his 238 points left him 65 points behind [[Richie Porte]], the leader of the ranking. Joaquim Rodríguez also moved up in the rankings from sixteenth to ninth place. Spain remained in second place in the nations' rankings, one point behind Australia, with Colombia moving ahead of the Netherlands into third place and France returning to the top 10. {{UCI team code|DQT|2015}} retained their lead in the teams' rankings.<ref>For the individual rankings, see {{cite web|title=UCI WorldTour Ranking - 2015|url=http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12146&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1186645&Phase1ID%3D0&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?947506|publisher=UCI|access-date=24 April 2015|date=22 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052407/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D102007%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D24055%26SeasonID%3D488%26EventID%3D12146%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26EventPhaseID%3D1186645%26Phase1ID%3D0%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26Cache%3D2.html?947506|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
* For the nations' rankings, see{{cite web|title=UCI WorldTour Ranking - 2015|url=http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12147&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1186646&Phase1ID%3D0&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?503688|publisher=UCI|access-date=24 April 2015|date=22 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042940/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D102007%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D24055%26SeasonID%3D488%26EventID%3D12147%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26EventPhaseID%3D1186646%26Phase1ID%3D0%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26Cache%3D2.html?503688|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
* For the teams' ranking, see{{cite web|title=UCI WorldTour Ranking - 2015|url=http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12145&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1149477&Phase1ID%3D0&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?185802|publisher=UCI|access-date=24 April 2015|date=22 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053241/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D102007%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D24055%26SeasonID%3D488%26EventID%3D12145%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26EventPhaseID%3D1149477%26Phase1ID%3D0%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26Cache%3D2.html?185802|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{{cyclingresult start|title=UCI World Tour individual rankings|points=yes}}
{{cyclingresult|1|[[Richie Porte]]|AUS|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|303}}
{{cyclingresult|2|[[Alejandro Valverde]]|ESP|{{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}|238}}
{{cyclingresult|3|[[Alexander Kristoff]]|NOR|{{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}|237}}
{{cyclingresult|4|[[John Degenkolb]]|GER|{{UCI team code|GIA|2015}}|232}}
{{cyclingresult|5|[[Michał Kwiatkowski]]|POL|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|195}}
{{cyclingresult|6|[[Geraint Thomas]]|GBR|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|184}}
{{cyclingresult|7|[[Greg Van Avermaet]]|BEL|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|178}}
{{cyclingresult|8|[[Nairo Quintana]]|COL|{{UCI team code|MOV|2015}}|168}}
{{cyclingresult|9|[[Joaquim Rodríguez]]|ESP|{{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}|160}}
{{cyclingresult|10|[[Zdeněk Štybar]]|CZE|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|152}}
{{cyclingresult end|source=[http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12146&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1186645&Phase1ID%3D1186657&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?392437 UCI]}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite web|title=La Flèche Wallonne: Livre de route|url=http://velorooms.com/roadbooks/2015/FWm.pdf|publisher=[[Amaury Sport Organisation|ASO]]|access-date=21 April 2015|format=PDF|year=2015|ref={{harvid|ASO|2015}}}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|http://www.letour.com/la-fleche-wallonne/2015/us/}}

{{2015 UCI World Tour}}
{{La Flèche Wallonne}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2015 La Fleche Wallonne}}
[[Category:La Flèche Wallonne]]
[[Category:2015 UCI World Tour|Fleche Wallonne]]
[[Category:2015 in Belgian sport|Fleche Wallonne]]