Welshman Stephen Williams Makes History with La Fleche Wallonne Victory in Belgium

Welsh cyclist Stephen Williams made history by becoming the first British male to win La Fleche Wallonne in Belgium. The 27-year-old rider from Israel-Premier Tech pulled off the biggest victory of his career on the challenging Mur de Huy climb.

Williams expressed his joy after the race, stating, “I’m so happy. I’ve watched this race so many times on television and dreamed of coming with good legs to try to win it. I’m on cloud nine.” He credited his strategy of attacking with 300m to go, which allowed him to hold off the competition and secure the win.

Despite the torrential conditions in Ardennes, Williams excelled and capitalized on the challenging weather to claim victory. Several top contenders, including fellow Briton Tom Pidcock, abandoned the race, but Williams persevered and emerged victorious.

In the women’s race, Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma powered to victory, marking her 19th career win and first of the season. Niewiadoma’s strong performance saw her break clear of Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini on the Mur de Huy climb to secure the win.

Overall, La Fleche Wallonne proved to be a thrilling and challenging race for both the men’s and women’s categories. Williams and Niewiadoma’s victories showcased their strength and determination in adverse conditions, solidifying their positions as top contenders in the world of cycling.