Valverde celebrates his first Classic win

The Caisse D'Epargne-Illes Balears rider broke away from a group of some 30 riders close to the summit of the final ascent of the Mur De Huy to win.

Countryman Samuel Sanchez was second, with Dutchman Karsten Kroon third.

"I started my challenge late and it paid off," said Valverde, who was runner-up in last year's world road race championships in Madrid.

"I suffered badly in the Amstel Gold Race last Sunday but this race being a bit shorter was perfectly suited for me."

Wednesday's victory pushes Valverde up to fourth in the ProTour standings.

Belgium's Tom Boonen still leads from Italy's Alessandro Ballan, with Sanchez moving up to third.

Fleche Wallonne result:

1. Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Caisse d'Epargne) 4:42:47"
2. Samuel Sanchez (Spain/Euskaltel)
3. Karsten Kroon (Netherlands/Team CSC)
4. Fraenk Schleck (Luxembourg/Team CSC)
5. Patrik Sinkewitz (Germany/T-Mobile)
6. Danilo Di Luca (Italy/Liquigas)
7. David Etxebarria (Spain/Liberty Seguros)
8. Koldo Gil (Spain/Saunier Duval)
9. Sergei Ivanov (Russia/T-Mobile)
10. Matthias Kessler (Germany/T-Mobile)

ProTour standings:

1. Tom Boonen (Belgium/Quick-Step) 129
2. Alessandro Ballan (Italy/Lampre) 105
3. Samuel Sanchez (Spain/Euskaltel) 89
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Caisse d'Epargne) 86
5. Fraenk Schleck (Luxembourg/Team CSC) 85
6. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland/Team CSC) 84
7. Alessandro Petacchi (Italy/Milram) 72
8. Antonio Colom (Spain/Caisse d'Epargne) 71
9. Filippo Pozzato (Italy/Quick-Step) 70
10. Karsten Kroon (Netherlands/Team CSC) 60