Demi Vollering wins Flèche Wallonne, secures Ardennes double
HUY, Belgium (AP) — Demi Vollering was in a class of her own Wednesday in the final grueling ascent leading to the finish of the Flèche Wallonne cycling race as she dropped all her rivals to secure a second one-day classic victory in the space of four days.
The 26-year-old Dutch rider accelerated at the foot of the Mur de Huy — a 1.3-kilometer (0.8-mile) ascent with an average gradient of 9.6% with sections as steep as 19% that decides the outcome of the race. She moved away from the leading pack to follow up her victory at Amstel Gold Race last weekend with another big win.
Vollering’s burst of power left everyone else in her wake. Kasia Niewiadoma tried hard to stay on the Dutchwoman’s wheel but got dropped close to the top as Liane Lippert produced a late effort to secure a runner-up finish, five seconds behind. Gaia Realini was third, seven seconds off the pace.
Vollering, who attacked again to keep Lippert at bay, was in tears after she crossed the finish as she thanked her SD Worx teammates via the team’s radio.
“I just went at my own pace and I couldn’t believe there was a gap,” Vollering said. “I saw it very late and the gap was pretty big and I was really surprised by that, so I’m really happy.”
Vollering will aim for a triple of the Ardennes races this weekend at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, an even more prestigious classic she already won two years ago.
The men’s Flèche Wallonne was taking place later Wednesday, with two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar among the favorites. ___
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