Marianne Vos made history today when, with a daunting burst of power atop the Mur de Huy, she scorched to what is her fourth career victory in the women’s Flèche Wallonne. The Dutchwoman’s finishing thrust saw her eke out a three second advantage over Emma Johansson (Hitec Products – UCK), coincidentally the same as Philippe Gilbert’s margin of superiority in the men’s race. She was a full six seconds ahead of the third-placed rider, Judith Arndt (HTC Highroad).
Vos’ performance earned her several spoils of victory; the winner’s prize plus bouquet at the podium presentation, as well as the World Cup leader’s jersey.
“The tactics were to keep the race under control, and from the last three times on the Muur, I know that when I am good, I have a chance. I felt strong,” she said in her winner’s press conference.
The key, she explained, was to be patient. “I felt good and I wanted to attack, but I said to myself, ‘wait, wait, do it at the right moment,” she said, referring to the importance of timing on such a tough finishing climb. “I really went for it on the steep part with 150 metres to go. I went, and saw it was enough.”
Johansson saw quickly that her rival was on a level above. “I did all I could, but Marianne was very good in the sprint. I didn’t really have much left over when she pulled it off in the last 100 metres. I am satisfied, you have to be – when you have done everything you can, you just have to be satisfied with what happens.”
Arndt echoed this, saying that Marianne Vos and her team were so strong that there was little they could do. They tried to set things up early on, sending Evelyn Stevens clear, but the American was eventually caught approximately 15 kilometres from the line. From then, things moved steadily towards a big group finish, where Vos proved conclusively that she was the best.
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