La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2016: Anna van der Breggen takes back-to-back win, Stevens in second

In La Flèche Wallonne 2016 the women face 137 kilometres and eleven hills, while the finish on top of the Wall of Huy. At the penultimate climb, the Cherave, Anna van der Breggen attacks with among others Evelyn Stevens. When the two are left alone at the last climb up the Wall of Huy, Van der Breggen powers away to head for a glorious win. Stevens finishes in second, Guarnier in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results La Flèche Wallonne Femmes

1. Anna van der Breggen (nld)
2. Evelyn Stevens (usa) + 0.08
3. Megan Guarnier (usa) + 0.22
4. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (pol) + 0.23
5. Elisa Longo Borghini (ita) + 0.25
6. Alena Amialiusika (blr) + 0.38
7. Emma Johansson (swe) + 0.43
8. Katrin Garfoot (aus) + 0.45
9. Marianne Vos (nld) + 0.48
10. Jolanda Neff (swi) s.t.

Race report
Lex Albrecht, Sheyla Gutierrez, Emilia Fahlin, Ann Sophie Duyck, Jessica Allen, Cecilie Gotaas Johnsen and Katia Ragusa race to a lead at over 3 minutes. The gap remains steady for quite a while.

While climbing the Côte d’Ereffe for the second time Ragusa is dropped, while the pack is opening the chase a little later. The gap goes down fast and with 34 kms remaining the pack is once again bunched.

But at the Bohissau the peloton breaks. All favourites are in the first group and they race to a lead at over 1 minute.

With 15 kms left birthday girl Carmen Small goes solo. She takes a 0’18” lead, but it’s not enough. At the Cherave Kasia Niewiadoma is the next attacker. She is accompanied by Van der Breggen, Guarnier, Stevens and Longo Borghini.

At the closing climb up the Wall of Huy Van der Breggen leaves her companions alone to solo to victory.