Another race, another strong team performance of Liv Racing TeqFind. Caroline Andersson went in the early breakaway, while Spanish champion Mavi Garcia rode a strong finale and battled for the podium on the Mur de Huy.
A lot of riders tried to get in the early breakaway during the Fleche Wallonne Femmes. The peloton kept everybody on a tight leash in the first 40 kilometres. Then Caroline Andersson attacked with Antri Christoforou. The leading duo took an one minute advantage. After the first climb of the Mur de Huy two other riders bridged to Andersson and her companion. The quartet worked together well, but in the peloton the riders got a little nervous and started to accelerate. The gap dropped quickly and with 40 kilometres to go the group with Andersson was caught.
After an acceleration on the second climb of the Mur the Huy the scenario changed completely. A select group took off and forced some favourites in the counter attack. Spanish champion Mavi Garcia was attentive in the front of the group waiting for the final climb of the Mur de Huy. Another acceleration by Demi Vollering on the Côte de Cherave – the second last climb of the day – caused more splits in the groups with favourites and in the meanwhile the escapees were reeled in.
Garcia made a strong impression in the final kilometres, following the move of Vollering and Niewiadoma. On the final climb it was Vollering again who pushed the tempo. Garcia kept following her, but cracked in the final 200 metres. The Spanish champion fought for every metre and crossed the line in fourth place.
“Today we finally saw some sun. I felt better then the last races in the rain and cold. The team was impressive once again. They protected me well and brought me in position at the right time. I feel sorry that I couldn`t reward my team mates with a podium, but at the same time I am very happy that I was there in the front fighting with the best. This gives a lot of motivation and confidence for our next races”, Garcia commented after the race.