Matthia Skjelmoes was one of many athletes who abandoned La Flèche Wallonne, shivering and suffering from hypothermia in a cold and rainy race, as the spring in the Belgian Ardennes turned into a day of survival.

Only 106 women finished the 146-km race, which started in the cold rain. Temperatures dropped to just 1°C, and midway through the race, the race was hit by rain and hail. At one point, snow even fell from the dark sky. Even the local Belgian media described the weather as Dantesque.

Skermoos' Lidl Trek teammate Gaia Lealini also suffered in the women's race, opting to relinquish her protected leadership role and let Elisa Longo Borghini take her shot at a podium finish.

"It was a very cold and strange race. Longo Borghini said after finishing third in the women's race behind Kasia Nieviadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Demi Vollering (SD Works-Pro Time), "It started raining early in the race.

"I feel bad for my teammate Gaia, who doesn't do well in the cold. It's a shame she couldn't be there in the end."

Skjelmors, along with Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) and others, suffered on the second of four climbs of the Mûr de Huy. He was later spotted by spectators along the roadside, who could no longer stop shaking, and team staff took him off his bike and carried him to the podium area at the finish for treatment.

Riddle-Trek quickly confirmed that Skjelmoes and the other riders were quickly feeling better, thanks to hot showers, hot drinks, and warm air in the team bus.

"I know there are some pretty impressive videos from fans about the moment he [Skjelmose] abandoned the race, but fortunately we were able to confirm once again that he is fine," Ridle Trek said. 'He doesn't need any major treatment and everything is under control.'

Ten of the 44 finishers in the men's La Flèche Wallonne were from Scandinavia, and the Uno-X Mobility team handled the conditions the best.

Tobias Halland Johannessen finished in sixth place, as did all the other finishers. In contrast, all riders from UAE Team Emirates, Ineos Grenadiers, and Jayco Aloura were unable to finish, probably preparing for Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

"We were well prepared for the weather, so when the snow started to fall, we only had to wait 30 minutes and we knew the whole peloton would be gone," said Halland Johannessen.

"The fact that the whole team was there in the end gave us great motivation. I'm really proud of the team. The legs were good, but it was a cold, tough race and it was hard to keep pushing to the end."

At the top of the Mur de Huy, the only ones smiling at the finish were winner Stevie Williams, second place Kevin Vokelan (Arkea B&B Hotels), and third place Maxime Van Gils (Lot Dostony).

"What a day," Williams said after the race. 'It's really special to win in such difficult conditions.'