Vollering proves strongest on the Mur de Huy despite late surge from Puck Pieterse

The women’s race at La Flèche Wallonne Féminine unfolded at a relentless pace from the outset, with attacks flying almost immediately after the start in Huy.

An early move began to take shape through Lotte Claes (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Malou Eisen (VolkerWessels Cycling Team), but it was only the prelude to something bigger. A strong counter brought together a sizeable group of eleven, including riders like Évita Muzic (FDJ United-Suez), Ricarda Bauernfeind (Lidl-Trek), Mikayla Harvey (SD Worx - Protime) and Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ). 

On paper it looked dangerous, yet the presence of multiple major teams meant the peloton never allowed the gap to stretch beyond control. With more than 70 kilometres remaining, the break was brought back and the race reset.

From there, the peloton tightened its grip. Team Visma | Lease a Bike and FDJ United-Suez in particular kept things in check, discouraging further moves as the race built toward the decisive local laps.

The next important attack came from Axelle Dubau-Prévot (EF Education-Oatly), who accelerated on the first ascent of the Mur de Huy. Katrine Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility) bridged across, and the pair quickly found a rhythm, working smoothly together to carve out a small advantage. They never gained much more than a minute, but they held off the peloton long enough to start the final lap out front.

Their move began to unravel on the Côte de Cherave. With around seven kilometres to go, Dubau-Prévot pushed on alone, distancing Aalerud, but behind them the bunch was closing fast as the pace ramped up again.

On the Cherave, the peloton finally fractured under pressure, with a reduced group of favourites emerging ahead of the final climb. Positioning became everything on the run-in to the Mur, where the race would once again be decided.

In the last kilometre, Demi Vollering was delivered perfectly at the front before launching her effort. She rode clear with a calm, controlled acceleration that gradually broke the resistance behind her. Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) responded late and closed quickly in the final metres, but ran out of road as Vollering held on for victory.