Stevens triumphs at La Flèche Wallonne Féminine

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American Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-lululemon) claimed her first World Cup victory, winning La Flèche Wallonne Feminine over the World Cup leader Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo). Linda Villumsen (GreenEdge-AIS) rounded out the podium.

"I'm actually thrilled about it," Stevens told Cyclingnews. "I think Specialized-lululemon rode perfectly as a team all day. Clara [Hughes] got in a break the first time over the Mur, and the last time before the Mur, Marianne Vos went and I was able to get on her wheel."

The pair were able to bridge to the early breakaway, which in addition to Hughes included Villumsen and Lucinda Brand (AA Drink-Leontien.nl).

Stevens said Hughes drove the breakaway to the finishing climb, and then detailed how she became one of the few women to ever out-sprint Vos on the Mur de Huy.

"I went, and Marianne Vos was on my wheel, but then I kind of let up and let her go in front and start her sprint, and I was able to come around. It was absolutely thrilling."

Vos was disappointed not to be able to finish off her team's hard work with a victory, and regretted starting her sprint too soon.

"I did a lot of work leading up to the last climb of the Mur de Huy," Vos said according to RaboSport.nl. "Then I went into the sprint and went too soon. "

The race was full of bad luck for the Stichting Rabo Women's team. Vos along with AA Drink-Leontien.nl's Emma Pooley, both former winners of Fleche Wallonne, were the victims of crashes and mechanicals, and Vos had to chase back on as Amanda Spratt (GreenEdge-AIS) led the race, 2 minutes ahead of the peloton early in the race.

Spratt was caught before the first trip up the Mur de Huy, but another attack by Linda Villumsen pulled Brand and Hughes away.

Team director Jeroen Blijlevens said he was forced to sacrifice Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and last year's World Cup winner Annamiek Van Vleuten to bring the breakaway within striking distance for Vos to bridge.

"It was unfortunate that Evelyn Stevens got on her wheel since her teammate Hughes was up ahead," Blijlevens said. "After the work Vos did to close the gap, Stevens was fresher for the sprint."

Stevens's victory and Megan Guarnier's seventh place from behind now provide the USA important points toward the 2012 Olympic Games qualification. Currently in a battle with Great Britain to make the top five nations, the USA will get four riders in London if they can reach that goal.

Great Britain had little luck in Flèche Wallonne, as defending Olympic champion Nicole Cooke (Faren Honda) pulled out with stomach problems and Emma Pooley (AA Drink-Leontien.nl) had several mechanicals and a crash during the race.

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