Reigning world champion, Philippe Gilbert (BMC) finished 15th Wednesday at Flèche Wallonne after the BMC Racing Team took charge during most of the last two hours of the race to bring the peloton together to the foot of the finishing climb, the Mur de Huy.

To keep his hopes of victory alive, Gilbert initiated the pursuit of Carlos Betancur (AG2R La Mondiale), who had attacked on the middle part of the 1,300 metres climb that averages 9.3 per cent. But when race winner Daniel Moreno (Katusha Team) attacked with 400 metres to go, Gilbert was unable to respond. Sergio Henao (Sky Procycling) finished second and Betancur came third.

"It was a fast race and the team controlled it well and rode very strongly today," Gilbert said on the team website. "It is always sad not to win, but I tried. A perfect race should be when I win. I am still missing a few percentages to win. When you are a favourite, you win when you are on your best level. I am gaining every day in my condition and we will see what Liege brings."