Alejandro Valverde wins Fleche Wallonne for record fourth time

Movistar's Alejandro Valverde has won the Ardennes classic La Fleche Wallonne for a record fourth time.

Ten years on from his first victory in the race, now in its 80th edition, the Spaniard's win today is his third consecutive success in it, a feat only achieved once before by the Belgian rider Marcel Kint during World War II.

Valverde bided his time on the closing climb of the Mur de Huy, following a move from Etixx-Quick Step's Dan Martin before launching his attack.

Martin finished third with his team mate Julian Alaphilippe taking second place, just as he did 12 months ago.

Earlier, Dimension Data's British rider Steve Cummings launched a solo attack from the break but he was brought back inside the closing 20 kilometres.

Before that, a crash involving three riders from Trek-Segafredo resulted in Fränk Schleck abandoning the race, the Luxembourg rider looking as though he may have broken his collarbone.