La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2018: Fourth back-to-back win Van der Breggen

The women are to crest seven hills in La Flèche Wallonne, but obviously it comes down to the finale. Attackers Guarnier, Ferrand-Prévot, Ensing and Spratt are brought back halfway up the last haul up the Wall of Huy before Van der Breggen wins her fourth Flèche Wallonne in a row. Ashleigh Moolman comes in second, Megan Guarnier in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2018

1. Anna van der Breggen (nld)
2. Ashleigh Moolman (rsa) + 0.02
3. Megan Guarnier (usa) s.t.
4. Annemiek van Vleuten (nld) + 0.06
5. Amanda Spratt (aus) + 0.17
6. Shara Gillow (aus) + 0.19
7. Sabrina Stultiens (nld) + 0.22
8. Sofia Bertizzolo (ita) z.t
9. Anastasia Iakovenko (rus) + 0.25
10. Margarita Victoria Garcia (spa) + 0.28

Race report
At 30 km Doris Schweizer opens up a 1 minute gap. She holds on to it for an hour before she is accompanied by Ane Santesteban, Omer Shapira, Tereza Medvedova and Dalia Muccioli. Santesteban is the first rider over the first climb, Cote d’Ereffe, still more than 1 minute ahead of the peloton, but then the lead comes down fast.

The front group is caught on the Côte de Cherave before Ferrand-Prévot strikes. Van der Breggen, Niewiadadoma, Longo Borghini and other favourites join her. Before tackling the Wall of Huy for the first time Guarnier, Ferrand-Prévot, Ensing and Spratt head out together.

At the base of the last time up the Côte de Cherave the leaders are 45 seconds ahead of the main group, which is halved at the top.

Halfway up the Wall of Huy the attackers are caught. Then Moolman attacks and Van der Breggen, Van Vleuten and Guarnier jump to her wheel. The title defender distances the others to win the race 10 metres ahead of Moolman with her ream-mate Guarnier a little bit further back.