After a shocking tactical fumble at the Amstel Gold Race allowed Paula Blasi to steal the win, Demi Vollering and FDJ United-SUEZ arrived at Flèche Wallonne out for blood.
The team rode a completely flawless race. They utilized Evita Muzic in an early breakaway to force the other teams to chase, effectively softening up the peloton. By the time they reached the final ascent of the Mur, Vollering was positioned perfectly in the wheels.
When the gradient hit the infamous 20% S-bend, Vollering launched a massive, long-range acceleration. Puck Pieterse desperately tried to claw her way back in the final 100 meters, launching a searing sprint of her own, but Vollering had too much of an advantage.
Vollering held on to take her second career Flèche Wallonne title, while Pieterse settled for second and Amstel winner Paula Blasi proved Sunday was no fluke by taking an impressive third.
The hierarchy has been restored. Vollering is the queen of the Ardennes, and everybody else is just racing for second place on Sunday in Liège.
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