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The Flèche Wallonne was a race Demi Vollering had pointed out before the season. "I had really peaked for this classic. As a result, I was nervous. I wanted to win here so badly, so it brought quite a lot of pressure. In the race, I didn't really feel super because the early breakfast at six in the morning hadn't gone down well, but the girls made me believe it was possible. They rode so hard in the lead that I was able to hurt myself extra."
Ten kilometres from the end, Vollering went to shake the tree herself. "Sport Director Anna van der Breggen had indicated to me to attack already on the Côte de Cherave, but I didn't have enough self-confidence to go full on there already. I did increase the pace on that penultimate slope, so hopefully I could wear the others down a bit. At the Mur de Huy I accelerated as agreed at the foot. I didn't realise that I immediately created a gap."
After which Vollering held on and triumphed atop the Mur de Huy. "This is a fantastic feeling. This climb is so tough. I wanted to triumph here one day. I still can't believe I finally managed to win here. The form is really good. Now I hope to compete for the win in Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday as well and maybe achieve the unique Ardennes trio this way."
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