The 36-year-old Movistar rider burst clear from the leading group towards the top of the decisive Mur de Huy climb.

He held his advantage before crossing the line in 5 hours 15min 37sec at the end of 204.5 kilometres of racing.

It added to the Spaniard's victories at the Tours of Murcia, Andalucía, Catalonia and Basque Country this season. 

His five victories at La Flèche Wallonne - which included a win in 2006 as well as 2014, 2015 and 2016 - are now two more than anybody else has managed.

Irishman Dan Martin finished one second behind in second place today.

The Quick-Step Floors rider held off BMC Racing's Dylan Teuns, who was the first home rider across the line in third.

Anna van der Breggen also continued strong recent form to win the corresponding women's race.

The Boels-Dolmans rider won in front of team-mate Lizzie Deignan in a repeat of the duo's 1-2 finish at the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday (April 16).

WM3 Pro Cycling's Katarzyna Niewiadoma attacked on the Cote de Cherave climb, but the Pole was unable to shake off either van der Breggan or Deignan. 

The Dutch rider than burst clear on the approach to the final Mur climb to win in the 120km race in 3:21:06.

It marked a third successive victory at La Flèche Wallonne.

Britain's Deignan broke clear to cross second 16 seconds behind.

Niewiadoma took third place a further nine seconds back.

"I have to say thanks to Lizzie," said van der Breggen. 

"She is riding great at the moment. 

"I have two great victories now, and Lizzie is in great shape also. 

"A big thanks to Lizzie and the rest of the team.

"I can do this because the whole team is strong."

Both races were part of the International Cycling Union World Tour.