By Gregor Brown in Huy
Cristian Moreni of Cofidis sprang into action in the closing kilometres of the 71st Flèche Wallonne. The 2004 Italian Champion jumped on the attack of Kim Kirchen (T-Mobile) and Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) in the closing 15 kilometres of Wednesday's Ardennes Classic.
"I made the escape," said an exhausted Moreni to Cyclingnews at the finish in Huy. He had made the move with Kirchen, Di Luca, Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery Channel) and Thomas Dekker (Rabobank). "We were taken back with two kilometres to go. It was a little bit of bad luck because we had four or five guys and we were closed down the gap with a small distance to go. It could have better."
Moreni went on to finish the 202.5-kilometre race 1'33" down on winner Rebellin. "I tried to re-enter with Di Luca and Valverde, they made a huge effort. It was quite a remarkable thing on the Mur, what history, and the fans. ... Rebellin did a number."
