As it Happened: Attritional Flèche Wallonne Femmes serves up fireworks on the Mur de Huy

Welcome along to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the 2026 La Flèche Wallonne Femmes, where Puck Pieterse will look to repeat her victory of 12 months ago against a stacked field.

The racing gets underway, starting in Huy in just under half an hour with a short neutral roll out. The racing gets properly underway at 13:50 CET and is scheduled to finish at around 17:55 CET.

Last year, Puck Pieterse timed her move on the famous climb to perfection, waiting until the final 150 metres to come around Demi Vollering. Despite a long distance attack from Cedrine Kerbaol, it was another show-down on the Mur. Will it be the same today?

Here's our report from last year to jog your memory.

La Flèche Wallonne Femmes: Puck Pieterse powers past Demi Vollering for victory atop Mur de Huy

Before we look at the contenders for today, let's zoom in on the climb that so often decides this race.

The Mur de Huy is one of the sport's most famous climbs and perhaps the hardest ascent of this entire week in the Ardennes. It takes just over three minutes for the women to get to the top, with an average gradient of 9.6% over the 1.3 kilometres. That stat takes in the gentler lead in to the hardest slope, however, which tops out at more than 26%.

This is a real leg-breaker and a beautifully natural amphitheatre of cycling. The women will take on the Mur twice, first of all with 38km to go before come back to it for the final struggle to the line.

Pieterse conquered the famous climb last year, but let's take a look at who is here to take her crown.

Demi Vollering finished a narrow second place last year. The FDJ United-SUEZ rider has been imperious this spring, winning Omloop Nieuwsblad and the Tour of Flanders.

Pauline Ferrand Prevot is her too, a former winner in 2014, as is the undisputed queen of this climb, Anna van der Breggen, a seven-time winner of La Flèche Wallonne Femmes. Kasia Niewiadoma and Amstel Gold winner Paula Blasi are two others in good form.

Here's a full run-down of the contenders: The kings and queens of the Mur de Huy – Analysing the contenders for La Flèche Wallonne

While this is an absolutely stacked field, there are also a few absentees. Elisa Longo Borghini is sitting this one out after finishing third last year.

Kim Le Court-Pienaar is another from last year's top-10 who misses out - the Mauritian is injured following a crash at the Tour of Flanders. There's no Lotte Kopecky either, or five-time winner Marianne Vos.

There are nine climbs on the route today, three of which are repeated on a local lap around Huy.

Côte de Bohissau (2.2km at 5.6%) at km 10.5

Côte de Courrière at km 38.3

Côte de Durnal at km 49.1

Côte d'Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 92.6

Côte de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 105.3

Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 111

Côte d'Ereffe (2.1km at 5%) at km 129,8

Côte de Cherave (1.3 km at 8,1%) at km 142.5

Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%) at km 148.2 (finish)

Neutral start

The riders have set off from Huy Grand Place behind the commissaire's car.

The riders were announced to the crowds in Huy earlier on.

One rider to keep an eye on today is Sadrine Tas. A couple of months ago, Tas was competing in the speed skating at the Winter Olympics. Today, the Belgian makes her professional cycling debut.

From the Winter Olympics to a Flèche Wallonne debut – Sandrine Tas begins cycling career with Lotto–Intermarché Ladies

148km to go

The flag has dropped, and the peloton is off racing.

The riders will start off with a flat opening 8km before taking on the first climb of the day, the Côte de Bohissau.

We had a surprise winner on Sunday as the Ardennes week got under way at the Amstel Gold Race, with Paula Blasi of UAE Team ADQ taking the win. Could there be another surprise today?

It's certainly less likely due to the severity of the Mur de Huy, but not impossible for an outsider.

One rider who may be worth watching out for is veteran Ashleigh Moolman Pasio. The South African is 40 but has re-found her best legs in the last week and was 4th at Brabanse Pijl. The AG Insurance-Soudal rider was second here in 2018.

Other names to keep tabs on include Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv-AlUla-Jayco), Liane Lippert (Movistar) and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek)

Lucie Fityus of Picnic-PostNL has abandoned the race in the early stages.

No movement from the bunch yet, but the riders are approaching the first climb of the day.

Côte de Bohissau (2.2km at 5.6%)

Time for the first climb of nine on the menu today.

Climb number one has been dealt with. The riders will now ride over a plateau for the next 15km before descending to the next hill.

Pieterse is motivated to score a big result this week. Although she has been consistent this spring, the 23-year-old is yet to raise her arms - her best result being 3rd at the Tour of Flanders.

"Hopefully, I can get that one big result, but I don’t feel the need to match anything. I’m in good shape, I’ll do my best, and we’ll see where that takes us," she said ahead of the La Flèche Wallonne Femmes.

'I’d rather have one real standout result than three podiums' – Puck Pieterse keeps eyes trained on top step as Ardennes campaign continues with defence at La Flèche Wallonne

Several riders have been distanced from the peloton on the opening climb including Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93).

130km to go

No attacks from the bunch yet.

A shot of the bunch in the neutral zone a few minutes ago.

Fenix-Premier Tech are taking responsibility for leading the bunch in this phase of the race, with Lotte Claes pulling things along.

Two riders have attacked the bunch and have a 10-second lead.

Malou Eisen of VolkerWessels is currently away solo with 35 seconds over the bunch.

Reigning world champion Magdeleine Vallieres is one of EF Education-Oatly's leaders today. The Canadian was 14th here last year. She is hoping for better luck than she experienced at Amstel Gold on Sunday.

“I couldn’t come back due to a mechanical issue, it happens, but we still had a great race with the team and Noemi Rüegg’s fifth place, so we’re happy," she said of Amstel before the start today.

"Today’s course is fantastic and it’s a legendary race with the Mur de Huy. I’m excited to be riding it today in the rainbow jersey. We’re always aiming for the top step of the podium. My legs will decide at the end of the race.”

Claes of Fenix-Premier Tech has joined Eisen at the front of the race. The pair have 1:15 over the bunch. In between is Heidi Franz (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93), who is around 40 seconds in arrears.

Interesting to see Fenix-Premier Tech placing a rider up the road. They are forcing the likes of FDJ United-SUEZ to do the chasing.

Another chasing group has now broken clear of the peloton. This one contains several strong riders. It's hard to see the peloton letting this one go. The nine riders are:

Muzic (FDJ United-SUEZ)
Czapala (Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto)
Chladoňová (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Bauernfeind (Lidl-Trek)
Harvey (SD Worx-ProTime)
Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ)
Grangier (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93)
Hezinova (Picnic-PostNL)
Aranguren (Laboral)

The group has caught up with Franz and is 50 seconds behind the leaders.

Fascinating looking group, that. Movistar and EF Education-Oatly are the big teams who have missed it.

The current situation:

Claes and Eisen are leading.

Chasing group at 50 seconds.

Peloton at 1:40.

The riders are 30km in now and are approaching the next climb.

The peloton on the Côte de Bohissau.

They are playing chess out on the roads of the Ardennes today. Most of the big favourites have sent team-mates up the road.

Movistar, EF Education-Oatly and Liv-AlUla-Jayco have missed out. Will they be able to chase the break down? And is every team that has riders ahead happy with this situation?

The chase group is now just 30 seconds behind the lead of the race. The peloton is 1:20 behind.

Côte de Courrière (1.5km at 6.6%)

Onto climb number two. Expect the two front groups to come together here.

Lotte Claes and Malou Eisen are riding well at the front.

Claes is a rider who came to prominence last year after winning Omloop Nieuwsblad from the breakaway. She transferred over the Fenix-Premier Tech for the 2026 season.

25-year-old Eisen is a lesser-known rider and is taking part in her first professional season in 2026 with VolkerWessels.

110km to go

The peloton is trying to keep things under control. Their deficit has dropped to 1:05.

It's a fairly mild day in Belgium today, with temperatures around 15 degrees celsius.

Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ) is part of this dangerous chase group.

The chase group is now 45 seconds behind the leaders. It appears with so many big teams in attendance, there is little collaboration. The peloton are 1:10 down.

Ilken Seynave of Lotto Intermarché Ladies has abandoned the race.

Côte de Durnal (1.5km at 6%)

The final climb before the peloton hits the circuit.

Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto's Czapla has dropped back from the chase group and is in the peloton. Perhaps the German team will now add their weight to the chase.

100km to go

The gaps are shrinking. The leaders are just 50 seconds ahead of the peloton, with the chasing group of nine now 25 seconds behind.

The leaders are over the top of the Côte de Durnal.

The riders now have 40km of flat roads before they tackle the climbs on the circuit which will decide this race.

The tactical situation out on the course today has made the racing fast and hard. They have covered this opening 50 kilometres at an average speed of 40km/h.

This could play into the hands of the likes of Vollering, Van der Breggen and Ferrand-Prevot; those who are better at longer efforts.

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is one of the big favourites today. The 2024 Tour de France Femmes champion is on top form, with three second-places to her name so far this spring, including at Amstel Gold on Sunday.

The Polish champion was fourth here last year, won in 2024 and finished on the podium in 2017 and 2021.

She is always a consistent performer, but is known to struggle to turn that consistency into wins. Can she do it today?

The peloton is keeping things close together today on the road to Huy.

Meanwhile, this group of nine is still attempting to build a solid advantage.

90km to go

The chase group still hasn't caught the leaders, with 40 seconds of a deficit. The bunch is now 1:25 behind.

The wind is picking up out there and is now around 23km/h. It will be a headwind until the riders hit the circuit in around 30 kilometres. Bad news for the break.

The peloton cuts through the farmland.

The chasers are just 15 seconds behind Claes and Eisen now.

There's also a small group out the back who have either suffered mechanicals or done their work for the day.

Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto's Soraya Paladin is among them, as is Hannah Ludwig of Cofidis.

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot won this race 12 years ago and is hoping for a good result today.

“It was my first international road race victory at the elite level, so it’s a memory that has stayed with me for a long time," she remembers of her 2014 win.

"I’m happy to be here today, with slightly different strengths, but I still hope to do, maybe not as well, but still a good result. I’m a little less punchy than I was a few years ago. We know it’s a difficult race, and at the finish you need that little extra something to give it your all. We’ll see if I’m capable of it today.”

Group 2 has joined group 1, so there are now 11 riders at the front of the race.

However, the peloton has closed the gap to just 25 seconds.

90km to go

There are 18km until the riders join the local circuit

Demi Vollering was anticipating some tactical cards being played in the breakaway today.

"We know the other teams expect us to lead the chase," she said at the start. "But we can also decide at some point to let the breakaway go if we have a strong rider up front."

FDJ United-SUEZ have Evita Muzic ahead.

Seven-time winner Anna van der Breggen is looking to return to the top-step of La Flèche Wallonne Femmes for the first time since her career break. The SD Worx-ProTime rider believes that the level in the peloton has risen since her last victory in 2021.

"It's a climb I like. I don't know how far I can come, so I'm excited," she said in Huy earlier today.

"I'm going to try to win this race. That's not a secret, I think, but it's not the same as the years before. I did not win so much yet, so if I can do it, it would be amazing. But I only can try."

"The level really went up [since 2021] I think at the top, yes, some girls got better, but also for sure in the teams there are more riders who can ride fast, so the races are harder and then you are more tired in the final, so that makes a difference."

The peloton are determined to reel in the breakaway. The leaders have just 10 seconds now.

The breakaway has been caught.

So no breakaway glory today. Not for that group anyway.

However, that strong leading group has served to make the opening 70 kilometres of this race very hard indeed. How will that impact the riders when they hit the climbs later on?

70km to go

There has been a counter attack by Émilie Morier of St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93).

The riders are about to enter the local circuit.

Pieterse appears ready to fight to defend her title today on the Mur de Huy.

"The Mur doesn't lie, so it will just be going all out and then we see at the top who was the strongest," she said before the start.

Asked about her shape, she said: "I think a bit the same as last year. I just hope to be in the mix again. I have the feeling I'm in good shape and that I'm ready to attack the Mur."

Morier has been caught. The bunch is all together as they hit the local laps around Huy.

The local lap will be tackled twice, containing three climbs.

First up will be the Côre d'Ereffe (2.1km at 5.3%), then the Côte de Cherave (1.5km at 7.3%), before, finally, the Mur de Huy (0.8km at 11.7%), which will take them to the line.

Côte d'Ereffe (2.1km at 5.3%)

Onto the first climb of the local lap. There will be lots of up and down over the next 60 kilometres.

The riders will turn into a tailwind after getting over the Mur de Huy at the end of this lap. There could be a good opportunity for an early attack.

Plenty of teams represented near the front of the bunch.

After riding in the break for much of the day, Slovakian champion Viktora Chladanová is now working on the front for Pauline Ferrand-Prevot.

There was a big spilt in the bunch over the top of the Côte d'Ereffe, with 20 riders getting away.

However, the peloton has come back together on the descent towards the Côte de Cherave.

50km to go

Just a few kilometres now until the first ascent of the Côte de Cherave.

They are 100km in, and this race is being ridden faster than the quickest timing prediction by the organisers, at an average of 38.4km/h so far. The toughest section of climbing is still to come however.

Côte de Cherave (1.5km at 7.3%)

The peloton is much reduced now, but no attacks off the front for the moment.

The riders are halfway up the Cherave now. A short descent follows before they climb the mighty Mur for the first time.

The riders are descending the Cherave and are on their way to the Mur. Will we see any early moves?

Another reminder of the stats for the Mur.

It's 1.3km at an average of 9.6%. Max gradient of 22% in its most iconic corner.

There has been a crash for two Lidl-Trek riders: Loes Adegeest and Niamh Fisher-Black.

Both have returned to the peloton, but that's disappointing for Lidl-Trek, who are putting their hopes in the New Zealander today.

Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%)

Time for the Ardennes' most-famous hill.

Visma-Lease a Bike are keen to make this hard. Marion Bunel has been driving things on the front.

Yara Kastelijn has been dropped on the Mur. That's a key worker for Pieterse out the back.

The riders have crossed the line and there is one lap and three more climbs to go.

Axelle Dubau-Prévot has attacked on the Mur. The EF Education-Oatly rider has a 20 second lead.

A good move by the young Frenchwoman, who will soon enjoy a ripping tailwind over 30 km/h if she can stay away.

Dubau-Prévot's lead has extended out to 30 seconds on this plateau.

Dubau-Prévot is being hunted down by Katrine Aalerud of Uno-X Mobility.

The Norwegian is just a few seconds behind, while the peloton is now a minute in arrears.

Amstel winner Paula Blasi also attempted to get away and bridge up to the leaders, but her attack was neutralised.

The leaders have a minute now over the peloton. With a 30km/h tailwind, this looks like a nice attack.

30km to go

FDJ United-SUEZ are driving things on the front of the peloton. The gap is down to 50 seconds.

It's Eva van Agt and Evita Muzic doing the work on the front.

There's 10km to go until the next climb.

Around 60 riders remain in the peloton.

Dubau-Prevot and Aalerud have a good lead inside the final lap.

We've seen Dubau-Prevot on the attack several times this spring, including at Brabantse Pijl. This is a good move to take the pressure off EF Education-Oatly's leaders, Magdeleine Vallieres and Noemi Rüegg.

Aalerud is a regular up the road too, but is on the comeback trail following a crash at Strade Bianche.

The gap to the leaders is coming down. It's now 35 seconds.

Côte d'Ereffe (2.1km at 5%)

Onto the final set of climbs.

20km to go

Aalerud and Dubau-Prevot have just 20 seconds as they hit the climb.

A controlled pace for the bunch on this climb. They're not going all-out yet, which is hardly a surprise given how tough this race has been already.

The leaders are holding their advantage steady on this climb, even extending slightly above 30 seconds again.

Maeva Squiban takes up the pace-making at the front of the bunch for UAE Team ADQ. The Emirati team could be working for veteran rider Mavi Garcia today.

This climb turns into an exposed plateau at the top. Will any team want to split it up in the wind?

Over the top, the leaders have grown their advantage back above 40 seconds.

Onto the descent now. There are 9km to the Côte de Cherave which is quickly followed by the Mur de Huy.

The peloton is being buffeted by this wind, but no team looks to take advantage of it at this stage. The riders are on an unclassified bump before a descent towards the finale.

Marion Bunel comes onto the front now with team leader Ferrand-Prêvot on the wheel. The Dutch team have been keen to make this race hard all day.

15km to go

The gap is 35 seconds with two climbs to go

This is a fast road into the foot of the Cherave now. The leaders are holding their advantage as SD Worx-ProTime come to the front of the bunch.

Axelle Dubau-Prévot's attack on the first ascent of the Mur de Huy

10km to go

The gap remains 35 seconds, but it will be tough for these two to hold on over the final climbs

Lidl-Trek in prime spot with Markus on the front. Fisher-Black sitting in the wheel having recovered from an earlier crash.

Côte de Cherave (1.5km at 7.3%)

The penultimate climb of the day.

The gap is down to 15 seconds at the foot of the climb. Markus has really accelerated on this stretch of road.

Dubau-Prévot attacks on the Cherave.

Behind, Elise Chabbey accelerates for FDJ United-SUEZ.

Chabbey's move is causing splits behind and has brought back the leaders.

All the big riders are on the former Swiss champion's wheel.

There are around 10 riders on Chabbey's wheel.

Moolman Pasio is among those dropped.

Towards the top, a few are managing to get back to the front, including Mavi Garcia and Monica Trinca Colonel.

Remarkably, Dubau-Prévot is among those who have stayed in touch with the Strade Bianche winner. EF Education-Oatly have three riders in the front group, which is 15-strong.

5km to go

The riders are on the descent towards Huy

A few outsiders have made this group. Mona Mitterwallner is there for Human Powered Health, as is Isabella Holmgren for Lidl-Trek.

3km to go

Dubau-Prévot is now leading this group towards the Mur with her leaders, Rüegg and Vallieres on the wheel.

Holmgren brings Fisher-Black to the front. Most other leaders are on their own, including Van der Breggen, Niewiadoma-Phinney and Pieterse.

2km to go

The anticipation is building. It's almost time for the Mur de Huy.

Mur de Huy (1.3km at 9.6%)

FDJ United-SUEZ hit the front for the final lead-out onto the Mur. It's Berthet on the front. Vollering is positioned on Pieterse's wheel.

Chabbey on the front on the early part of this climb

A few riders are tailed off as soon as they hit the steep slopes

Vollering hits the front, Niewiadoma in her wheel and Pieterse behind her.

Van der Breggen goes backwards, as does Fisher-Black.

Vollering punches away on the steepest pitches. She has a gap.

It's Niewiadoma chasing and Blasi alongside her.

But Vollering's lead is not shifting as she heads into the final 300 metres.

Blasi drives the chase on. Niiewiadoma, Pieterse and Vallieres with her

They are coming back at Vollering in the final straight. Pieterse goes all-in.

Demi Vollering wins La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2026

Pieterse gets close, but Vollering ultimately holds her off. An impressive ride from the European champion.

Vollering went long. Really long. We've seen that go wrong for riders in the past and it nearly did for the FDJ United-SUEZ rider. They were coming back to her and Pieterse had one final acceleration in her legs to try to get back, but in the end came up short.

Vollering takes her second victory at Flèche Wallonne. Pieterse was second, with Amstel winner Paula Blasi in third.

This was a tough, attritional race. It wasn't a big bunch Mur de Huy sprint that we've seen in previous years. The cream rose to the top after the opening 70km was raced at break-neck speed.

Here are the results of the 2026 Flèche Wallonne Femmes, powered by FirstCycling.

Vollering continues her superfluous spring by taking her second Flèche Wallonne Femmes title.

"I'm really happy to win it and I think in an impressive way I guess. I had no idea of course what happened behind, I never looked back. I only looked back just before the finish and I saw a Puck [Pieterse] coming, so I was like 'oh my god, I still need to do a sprint', she told the TV cameras after the finish.

"I don't know what happened behind me, so I just really trust my own pace and I didn't want to have any regrets afterwards, so I just went over Elise [Chabbey] after an incredible lead-out from my teammates, full gas, and I was like no way back anymore, now it's only up to me."

Vollering also heaped praise on her team-mates. Evita Muzic was part of the early move that softened up the peloton and the rest worked to position Vollering to perfection at the foot of the Mur.

"I'm really proud of the girls, it was a hard day for them, but we did really good. I always felt in control. Evita was in the first break and it was a perfect breakaway, so other teams had to control it...I was really proud of them."

Here's our report from a tough edition of La Fléche Wallonne Femmes which delivered drama on the Mur de Huy.

La Flèche Wallonne Femmes: Demi Vollering delivers victory with Mur de Huy acceleration and holds off surging Puck Pieterse