Flèche Wallonne 2025: The most important facts in brief

• Date: 23 April 2025, estimated finish time: ~ 16:15 (men), ~ 17:45 (women)
• Distance: 205.2 kilometres, 3060 vertical metres (men), 140.7 kilometres, 2250 vertical metres (women)
• Start: Ciney (men), Huy (women),
• Target: Mur de Huy
• UCI category: (Women's) World Tour
• Organiser: A.S.O.
• Premiere: 1936, 89th edition (men), 1998, 28th edition (women)
• Last year's winner: Stephen Williams (men), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (women)

The Flèche Wallonne, also known as the Walloon Arrow, is one of the most important one-day races in professional cycling and forms the second part of the Ardennes Trilogy. The race is traditionally held on Wednesday between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Although the Flèche Wallonne is one of the most famous races, it is not one of the five monuments of cycling (Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Tour of Lombardy). Due to its shorter distance, changing course and less long history, the Flèche Wallonne is categorised as a semi-classic, similar to Gent-Wevelgem.

Rolf Gölz - the only German winner

The Walloon Arrow was first held in 1936 and was won by the Belgian Philémon Demeersman. Since then, a total of 88 races have been held. Spaniard Alejandro Valverde is the record holder with five victories. In 1988, Rolf Gölz secured the only German triumph to date at the Flèche Wallonne.

>> Rolf Gölz about his victory at the Fleche Wallonne in a TOUR interview

>> To the 2025 cycling race calendar

Since 1998, there has also been a women's race called Flèche Wallonne Femmes. This race is part of the UCI Women's World Tour and takes place on the same day as the men's race. The Dutchwoman Anna van der Breggen is the record winner with seven victories. Hanka Kupfernagel was the only German to triumph in 1999.

The route of the Flèche Wallonne 2025

Men

The route is slightly longer this year and breaks the 200 kilometre barrier. The riders will have to conquer the Mur de Huy, where the first finish took place in 1985, three times. In total, there will be eleven categorised climbs in 2025, two more than in 2024, which could make the race more selective on paper this year. However, it could hardly be more selective than in 2024, where the riders struggled less with the course and more with the weather conditions. It was freezing cold. The pictures of the half-frozen Mattias Skjelmose, who had to be carried away by a carer.

Another new addition to the programme is the starting point of Ciney, from where the riders set off via the Côte de Vert and the Côte de Petite Somme on a circuit that has to be completed three and a half times. Back on the programme is the Côte de Cherave, which is one of three climbs on the circuit alongside the Côte d'Ereffe and the Mur de Huy.

Despite the Côte d'Ereffe and the Côte de Cherave, the race is once again likely to be decided on the Mur de Huy. It is one of the most legendary climbs in cycling and has already been part of the Tour de France. Although it is only 1.3 kilometres long, it impresses with an average gradient of 9.6 per cent and peaks at over 20 per cent. The middle section of the Mur in particular is extremely steep, while the beginning and end sections are somewhat more moderate.

The Mur de Huy

These are the climbs of the men's race

1. KM 18.2 - Côte de Ver - 1.4 km à 5.8 %
2. KM 85.8 - Côte de Petite Somme - 1.2 km à 8 %
3. KM 112.4 - Côte d'Ereffe - 2.1 km à 5 %
4. KM 125.1 - Côte de Cherave - 1.3 km à 8.1 %
5. KM 130.8 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km à 9.6 %
6. KM 149.6 - Côte d'Ereffe - 2.1 km à 5 %
7. KM 162.3 - Côte de Cherave - 1.3 km à 8.1 %
8. KM 168 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km à 9.6 %
9. KM 186.8 - Côte d'Ereffe - 2.1 km à 5 %
10. KM 199.5 - Côte de Cherave - 1.3 km à 8.1 %
11. KM 205.2 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km à 9.6 %

The men's course in the video

Flèche Wallonne 2025 Women

The 29th edition of La Flèche Wallonne Femmes starts in the Grand-Place de Huy and leads the riders directly to the Côte de Bohissau, which was last part of the race in 2016. After around 40 kilometres, the women's route joins the men's route. Here too, the focus is on the Ereffe, Cherave and Huy climbs, which each have to be conquered twice.

The women will start after the men again this year. We should know by 17:45 who will take over from Katarzyna Niewiadoma, who won the Flèche Wallonne 2024.

These are the climbs of the women's race

1. KM 10.5 - Côte de Bohissau - 2.2 km à 5.5 %
2. KM 58.6 - Côte de Petite Somme - 1.2 km à 8 %
3. KM 85.1 - Côte d'Ereffe - 2.1 km à 5 %
4. KM 97.8 - Côte de Cherave - 1.3 km à 8.1 %
5. KM 103.5 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km à 9.6 %
6. KM 122.3 - Côte d'Ereffe - 2.1 km à 5 %
7. KM 135 - Côte de Cherave - 1.3 km à 8.1 %
8. KM 140.7 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km à 9.6 %

The women's course in the video

The favourites

Men

The Flèche Wallonne 2025 is more crowded than last year, when Stephen Williams won in the most adverse weather conditions. The two biggest stars at the start are also the two big favourites: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step). Pogačar is beginning to doubt whether he is still in the top form of a few weeks ago. At the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, the Slovenian set off on one of his infamous solo rides, but was caught shortly before the finish by Evenepoel and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl - Trek) and was relegated to second place by the latter in the sprint. Skjelmose had already finished second at the Flèche Wallonne in 2023, when Pogačar won the race. With Thibau Nys the Lidl - Trek team also has a second trump card to play. The 22-year-old Belgian, who is making his debut, likes steep ramps, as he recently proved at the GP Miguel Indurain. The Mur de Huy should be exactly to his taste. The favourites also include Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), who recently won a Sport Oscar collected. The Brit was not quite able to keep up with the very best at the Arrow of Brabant (11th place) and the Amstel Gold Race (9th place), but could be among the front runners on Wednesday, just like Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe). Last year's third-placed driver will be trying to polish up the Raubling-based racing team's poor classics record. You should also keep an eye on Romain Grégoire (Groupama - FDJ). The 22-year-old Frenchman recently finished seventh in the Amstel Gold Race. The extended group of favourites also includes Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), Ben Healy (EF Education - EasyPost), Lenny Martinez, Santiago Buitrago (both Bahrain - Victorious), Dylan Teuns (Cofidis), last year's winner Williams (Israel - Premier Tech) and Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto).

The favourites according to TOUR stars

***** Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel

**** Mattias Skjelmose

*** Thibau Nys, Tom Pidcock

** Maxim Van Gils, Romain Grégoire

* Julian Alaphilippe, Ben Healy, Lenny Martinez, Santiago Buitrago, Dylan Teuns, Stephen Williams, Lennert Van Eetvelt

La Flèche Wallonne 2024 - Results: the men's top 10

>> How the men's Flèche Wallonne 2024 went

>> Spring classics 2025 - the ultimate guide

Women

In contrast to the men's race, the chances of victory for the Germans in the women's race are good. Liane Lippert (Movistar Team) is one of the top favourites at the start. The 27-year-old from Friedrichshafen doesn't have to hide from any rider on the Mur de Huy. At the Tour of Flanders she was probably the strongest rider on the climbs and at the Amstel Gold Race Lippert led the race together with Demi Vollering (FDJ - SUEZ) the favourites to the finish. In 2023, she also finished second at the Flèche Wallonne behind Vollering. The Dutchwoman therefore sits slightly above Lippert in the favourites' rankings. On a par with the German is the Tour de France Femmes winner Katarzyna Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), who impressively won the Flèche Wallonne last year. Of course, when looking at the history of the race, we also have to mention the record winner: Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx - Protime), the seven-time winner. However, the 35-year-old Dutchwoman recently had to abandon the Amstel Gold Race due to illness. Also Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) has already finished second and third on the podium at the Walloon Arrow, just like Gaia Realini The Italian, who is extremely lightweight at 40 kilograms, is probably the best option for 2023. Lidl - Trek on the extremely steep Mur de Huy. 26 kilograms more Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx - Protime) will be at the start. Things haven't gone very well for the world champion recently with 12th place at Paris-Roubaix and 34th place at the Amstel Gold Race, but she should definitely not be written off for Wednesday, just like Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck - most recently third at the Amstel Gold Race). The extended circle of favourites also includes Évita Muzic (FDJ - SUEZ), Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck), Kimberley (Le Court) Pienaar (AG Insurance - Soudal Team) and Marta Cavalli (Team Picnic PostNL).

The favourites according to TOUR stars

***** Demi Vollering

**** Liane Lippert, Katarzyna Niewiadoma

*** Elisa Longo Borghini, Anna van der Breggen

** Lotte Kopecky, Puck Pieterse

* Évita Muzic, Pauliena Rooijakkers, Kimberley (Le Court) Pienaar, Marta Cavalli

La Flèche Wallonne 2024 women results

>> How the women's Flèche Wallonne 2024 went

Flèche Wallonne 2025: TV coverage & live stream

The men's race can be seen on television in Germany on Eurosport 2 from 14:30-16:45 to see. Additionally there are Discovery Plus a paid live stream, which is provided by 12:45-16:45 is running. The Women's Flèche Wallonne is used for Eurosport 2 from 16:55-18:15 will be broadcast in parallel with the live stream at Discovery Plus.

All the winners of the women's Flèche Wallonne

• 1998 Fabiana Luperini (Italy)
• 1999 Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany)
• 2000 Genevieve Jeanson (Canada)
• 2001 Fabiana Luperini (Italy)
• 2002 Fabiana Luperini (Italy)
• 2003 Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
• 2004 Sonia Huguet (France)
• 2005 Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
• 2006 Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
• 2007 Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
• 2008 Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
• 2009 Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
• 2010 Emma Pooley (Great Britain)
• 2011 Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
• 2012 Evelyn Stevens (USA)
• 2013 Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
• 2014 Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (France)
• 2015 Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
• 2016 Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
• 2017 Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
• 2018 Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
• 2019 Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
• 2020 Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
• 2021 Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
• 2022 Marta Cavalli (Italy)
• 2023 Demi Vollering (Netherlands)
• 2024 Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland)

All winners of the Flèche Wallonne

• 1936 Philémon De Meersman (Belgium)
• 1937 Adolph Braeckeveldt (Belgium)
• 1938 Emile Masson (Belgium)
• 1939 Edmond Delathouwer (Belgium)
• 1941 Sylvain Grysolle (Belgium)
• 1942 Karel Thijs (Belgium)
• 1943 Marcel Kint (Belgium)
• 1944 Marcel Kint (Belgium)
• 1945 Marcel Kint (Belgium)
• 1946 Desire Keteleer (Belgium)
• 1947 Ernest Sterckx (Belgium)
• 1948 Fermo Camellini (Italy)
• 1949 Rik van Steenbergen (Belgium)
• 1950 Fausto Coppi (Italy)
• 1951 Ferdinand Kübler (Switzerland)
• 1952 Ferdinand Kübler (Switzerland)
• 1953 Stan Ockers (Belgium)
• 1954 Germain Derycke (Belgium)
• 1955 Stan Ockers (Belgium)
• 1956 Richard van Genechten (Belgium)
• 1957 Raymond Impanis (Belgium)
• 1958 Rik van Steenbergen (Belgium)
• 1959 Jos Hoevenaers (Belgium)
• 1960 Pino Cerami (Belgium)
• 1961 Willy Vannitsen (Belgium)
• 1962 Henri De Wolf (Belgium)
• 1963 Raymond Poulidor (France)
• 1964 Gilbert Desmet (Belgium)
• 1965 Roberto Poggiali (Italy)
• 1966 Michele Dancelli (Italy)
• 1967 Eddy Merckx (Belgium)
• 1968 Rik van Looy (Belgium)
• 1969 Jos Huysmans (Belgium)
• 1970 Eddy Merckx (Belgium)
• 1971 Roger De Vlaeminck (Belgium)
• 1972 Eddy Merckx (Belgium)
• 1973 Andre Dierickx (Belgium)
• 1974 Frans Verbeeck (Belgium)
• 1975 Andre Dierickx (Belgium)
• 1976 Joop Zoetemelk (Netherlands)
• 1977 Francesco Moser (Italy)
• 1978 Michel Laurent (France)
• 1979 Bernard Hinault (France)
• 1980 Giuseppe Saronni (Italy)
• 1981 Daniel Willems (Belgium)
• 1982 Mario Beccia (Italy)
• 1983 Bernard Hinault (France)
• 1984 Kim Andersen (Denmark)
• 1985 Claude Criquielion (Belgium)
• 1986 Laurent Fignon (France)
• 1987 Jean-Claude Leclercq (France)
• 1988 Rolf Gölz (Germany)
• 1989 Claude Criquielion (Belgium)
• 1990 Moreno Argentin (Italy)
• 1991 Moreno Argentin (Italy)
• 1992 Giorgio Furlan (Italy)
• 1993 Maurizio Fondriest (Italy)
• 1994 Moreno Argentin (Italy)
• 1995 Laurent Jalabert (France)
• 1996 Lance Armstrong (USA)
• 1997 Laurent Jalabert (France)
• 1998 Bo Hamburger (Denmark)
• 1999 Michele Bartoli (Italy)
• 2000 Francesco Casagrande (Italy)
• 2001 Rik Verbrugghe (Belgium)
• 2002 Mario Aerts (Belgium)
• 2003 Igor Astarloa (Spain)
• 2004 Davide Rebellin (Italy)
• 2005 Danilo Di Luca (Italy)
• 2006 Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
• 2007 Davide Rebellin (Italy)
• 2008 Kim Kirchen (Luxembourg)
• 2009 Davide Rebellin (Italy)
• 2010 Cadel Evans (Australia)
• 2011 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium)
• 2012 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain)
• 2013 Daniel Moreno (Spain)
• 2014 Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
• 2015 Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
• 2016 Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
• 2017 Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
• 2018 Julian Alaphilippe (France)
• 2019 Julian Alaphilippe (France)
• 2020 Marc Hirschi (Switzerland)
• 2021 Julian Alaphilippe (France)
• 2022 Dylan Teuns (Belgium)
• 2023 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
• 2024 Stephen Williams (Great Britain)