Valverde's Flèche Wallonne formula doesn't work for Van Vleuten

Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) leads on the Mur de Huy
Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) leads on the Mur de Huy (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

For the third time in her career, Annemiek van Vleuten was consigned to second-best atop the Mur de Huy at the end of La Flèche Wallonne Féminine on Wednesday, with Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) coming from behind to surge to victory at the line.

Van Vleuten had twice previously been beaten to the win at the race by Anna van der Breggen, and Flèche remains one of the few major races missing from the 88 wins on her glittering palmarès.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.