The 90th edition of La Flèche Wallonne started in Herstal. The peloton prepared for a 200-kilometer race featuring eleven categorized climbs along the way. As tradition dictates, the Mur de Huy was the decisive point. The steep ascent had to be tackled three times in total. Tulett came into the race with question marks following his crash in the Tour of the Basque Country a week and a half earlier, which also caused him to miss the Amstel Gold Race.  

During the opening phase of the Walloon classic a breakaway of six riders formed. The group was given space by the peloton, which was gearing up for the demanding finale. The short succession of climbs thinned out both the breakaway and the peloton considerably. On each passage of the Mur de Huy, Tulett looked fresh. With just over five kilometers to go, the last remaining escapee, Andreas Leknessund, was caught. The decisive moment came on the Mur de Huy.  

Tulett was excellently positioned as he began the final climb. The Brit rode near the front over the first steep meters, side by side with Seixas. Heading toward the summit, the Frenchman launched a blistering acceleration and left everyone behind. In the fight for second place, Tulett ultimately also had to give way to Mauro Schmid.  

Tulett responded with delight after securing his first WorldTour podium: “This result comes as a surprise,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if I had recovered enough to race today. A podium finish is more than I had hoped for. I’m very happy I was able to show myself here. It’s a great way to wrap up a few challenging weeks.”  

“La Flèche Wallonne is already a tough race, but the battle to start the final kilometer in a good position makes it even harder,” Tulett added. “My teammates brought me to the front at the right moment, after which I was among the first to start the Mur. This climb doesn’t lie, so everyone finished where they deserved. That makes this podium finish something I’m very proud of.”