How can you outsmart Anna van der Breggen in her playground?
Trek-Segafredo took up the challenge and opted for a tight pace in the final local loop of 30 kilometers, but at the moment of the truth, spearheads Lizzie Deignan and Elisa Longo Borghini had a little too much porridge in their legs.
World champion Van der Breggen was also dropped off in a seat by her teammates at the foot of the Wall of Huy and opted for a long time trial from the saddle.
Countrywoman Demi Vollering and Danish Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig emerged as the main challengers.
Vollering even took over for a while, but Van der Breggen did not budge.
Ludwig, who had already taken off a jacket after a mechanical breakdown, did not give Van der Breggen the victory as a gift, but the world champion was again unapproachable.
With a 6th triumph in a row, she is now the only record holder in the oldest climbing classic in women’s cycling.
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