Aalerud (11th) continues to progress at Flèche Wallonne
30 September 2020

Ardennes Classics

Norwegian from Movistar Team -30" off unstoppable Van der Breggen (DLT)- resists until very end inside main group, with late support from Jelena Erić.

It was another victory -her sixth on a row- for World Champion Anna van der Breggen (DLT) at the 2020 Flèche Wallonne, held Wednesday over 124km in Belgium with a double final circuit around the ‘côtes’ of Ereffe, Chemin des Gueuses and the traditional Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.3%). The Dutchwoman found strong opposition into the final slopes this time, with Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ) coming just behind her in 2nd place and ahead of Demi Vollering (PHV, 3rd).

The Movistar Team at the start in Huy. (c) ASO / Thomas Maheux

The Movistar Team completed a decent performance by getting two riders into the final selection of 30, created after the first climb to the ‘Mur’, with Katrine Aalerud and Jelena Erić. The Norwegian, supported by the former Serbian champion before the penultimate ascent (Gueuses) and helped out earlier in the race by González, Oyarbide, Rodríguez and Patiño, initially tried to follow a deep acceleration from Ashleigh Moolman (CCC) into the first climb to Huy, choosing later on to follow her own pace for the decisive ascent to the finish. Katrine finished in 11th place, 32″ behind Van der Breggen and just short for a top-ten result she already deserves, following good performances in the Giro Rosa and the World Championships.

Aalerud and Eric into the final selection. (c) Velofocus

Aalerud will again lead the Movistar Team’s hopes at Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, featuring La Redoute and Roche-aux-Faucons as main climbs and enjoying, just like today’s race, TV coverage for the first time.

Jorgenson best Movistar Team performer at men’s race

2020 men’s Flèche Wallonne results

Cover picture (c): Velofocus