Belgium 22 Apr 2026 Class 1.WWT – 1 day – UCI Women’s WorldTour
Website https://www.la-fleche-wallonne-femmes.be/en/ www.letour.fr
La Flèche Wallonne One Day Race
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The 2026 La Flèche Wallonne Femmes saw a dominant performance by Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ), who secured her second career victory in the race. In a thrilling finish on the Mur de Huy, Vollering launched a powerful acceleration mid-climb and successfully held off a late charge from the defending champion, Puck Pieterse.
The podium was completed by the young Spanish rider Paula Blasi, who continued her impressive spring form following her recent win at the Amstel Gold Race.
Top 10 Results (Women’s Elite)
| # | Rider | Team | Time / Gap |
| 1 | Demi Vollering | FDJ United-SUEZ | 3:53:27 |
| 2 | Puck Pieterse | Fenix-Premier Tech | + 0:00 |
| 3 | Paula Blasi | UAE Team ADQ | + 0:03 |
| 4 | Katarzyna Niewiadoma | Canyon//SRAM Zandacrypto | + 0:06 |
| 5 | Anna van der Breggen | Team SD Worx-Protime | + 0:11 |
| 6 | Magdeleine Vallières Mill | EF Education-Oatly | + 0:14 |
| 7 | Pauline Ferrand-Prévot | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | + 0:28 |
| 8 | Niamh Fisher-Black | Lidl-Trek | + 0:34 |
| 9 | Isabella Holmgren | Lidl-Trek | + 0:40 |
| 10 | Nienke Vinke | Team SD Worx-Protime | + 0:40 |
Key Moments
- Vollering’s Tactical Masterclass: Eschewing a traditional sprint, Vollering used her sheer climbing engine to “asphyxiate” her rivals on the steepest ramps of the Mur. While Pieterse made a massive surge in the final 50 meters, she ran out of road to close the gap.
- The Return of Van der Breggen: The legendary Anna van der Breggen, continuing her comeback season, showed she is still a force in the Ardennes by clinching a solid 5th place.
- Canadian Duo: It was a historic day for Canadian cycling with both Magdeleine Vallières Mill and 18-year-old Isabella Holmgren breaking into the top 10.
- Breakaway Efforts: Axelle Dubau-Prévot (EF Education-Oatly) and Katrine Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility) provided the main excitement earlier in the race, building a lead of 40 seconds before being neutralized on the approach to the final circuits.
The History of La Flèche Wallonne Femmes
Launched in 1998, La Flèche Wallonne Femmes has grown from a pioneering event into one of the most prestigious races on the UCI Women’s WorldTour (1.WWT). While it shares the same iconic finish as the men’s race—the punishing Mur de Huy—it has carved out its own unique legacy of dominance and tactical evolution.
Key Historical Phases
- The Foundation (1998–2000s): The race was created by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) to provide a female counterpart to the historic men’s classic. The first winner was Fabiana Luperini of Italy. In these early years, the route was roughly 90–100 km, primarily focusing on the final loops around Huy.
- The WorldTour Era (2016–Present): With the launch of the UCI Women’s WorldTour in 2016, the race’s status was solidified as a top-tier global event. Since then, the distance and difficulty have steadily increased. The 2026 edition set a record for the longest route in the race’s history at 148.2 km.
The “Queen of the Mur”: Anna van der Breggen
No discussion of this race is complete without mentioning the Dutch legend Anna van der Breggen. She achieved a level of dominance rarely seen in any sport:
- Record: 7 consecutive victories (2015–2021).
- She mastered the specific pacing required for the Mur de Huy, often waiting until the final 150 meters to launch a decisive, unstoppable acceleration.
- Since her retirement in 2021, the race has become much more unpredictable, crowning a different winner every year (Marta Cavalli in 2022, Demi Vollering in 2023, Kasia Niewiadoma in 2024, and Puck Pieterse in 2025).
Iconic Champions
Beyond Van der Breggen, the “Palmarès” (honor roll) features the greatest names in women’s cycling:
- Marianne Vos: A 5-time winner (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013).
- Nicole Cooke: A 3-time winner (2003, 2005, 2006).
- Fabiana Luperini: The inaugural winner and a 3-time champion (1998, 2001, 2002).
Evolution of the Course
While the Mur de Huy (1.3 km at an average of 9.6%, peaking at 26%) is the permanent climax, the approach has changed:
- The Loops: In recent years, the race has shifted to a “circuit” format. Riders often tackle the Mur de Huy two or even three times during the race, wearing down the legs of the pure climbers before the final showdown.
- Increased Length: From the ~94 km routes of the early 2000s, the race has evolved into a true endurance test, now regularly exceeding 140 km to match the rising standards of the Women’s WorldTour.
Recent Winners (1.WWT Era)
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2025 | Puck Pieterse | Fenix-Deceuninck |
| 2024 | Kasia Niewiadoma | Canyon//SRAM Racing |
| 2023 | Demi Vollering | SD Worx |
| 2022 | Marta Cavalli | FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope |
| 2021 | Anna van der Breggen | SD Worx |
