There was an air of discontent in the Lampre-Merida camp after Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne where the team’s contenders for victory performed well until the final 400 metres, then the dream of Ulissi and Cunego to climb the Huy wall as victor was broken.

The Lampre-Merida duo covered the early sectors of the last passage of the final hill in the head position of the group, but they could not react when Gilbert (BMC) raised the speed and Sagan (Cannondale) and Moreno (Katusha) followed him. Then, the Spaniard found the energies for a solo attack that gave him the victory. Ulissi eventually finished 13th at 13", Cunego 28th at 32".

“The team supported Damiano and me in a proper way; Graziato and Bono in the early approaches to the wall and Mori in the final part of race helped us a lot,” Ulissi explained. “I could not react when the speed was raised, then I found a good pace but it was too late."

Cunego, too, was less than satisfied: “I could not change the pace, the opponents went faster and I couldn't react. I'm not happy, of course. Anyway, now my mind is set on Liège-Bastogne-Liège: It's my dream, I did a lot to be ready for the appointment and I'm willing to battle to reach the goal."