Mattias Skjelmose, leader of the Lidl-Trek, was one of the favorites for the race. However, rain, sometimes even sleet, and freezing cold forced nearly three-quarters of the peloton to abandon the race.
Of the 175 runners starting in sunny Charleroi, only 44 crossed the finish line at the top of the Mur de Huy. After a nice hot shower, Alexis Vuillermoz, who will retire at the end of the season, returned to his hectic afternoon after a hot shower. The Dane, who was able to warm up, has given reassuring news from his team that he will be able to compete in the next stage of the race in France on Sunday. The race will take place in the Belgian city of Le Touquet, with a finish in the town of Lille on Monday. The winner will go on to the French capital of Mont-Blanc, where the race will be held in July. The finish will be in front of a crowd of 10,000 people.