Seven-time winner Anna van der Breggen looks forward to returning to La Flèche Wallonne

For the first time since her unbeaten streak of seven consecutive victories, Anna van der Breggen will line up again at La Flèche Wallonne (2015–2021). Last year, she was forced to miss the race due to illness. The two-time world champion is looking forward to climbing the Mur de Huy once more. “I do feel that people like the fact that I’m back on the start line of this race. I’m curious myself to see how far I can go. But I’m not the top favourite,” says Van der Breggen.

Anna van der Breggen: “I take a very good feeling with me from a successful altitude training camp. The Amstel Gold Race also went well. Only the result was disappointing, and of course that’s what matters most. But as a team we drew a lot of confidence from the way we raced there. I also feel that I’m in slightly better shape than last year.”

“The climb just before it means you’re not fully recovered from that effort. And the Mur itself is just too long to go into it without pacing. You have to think about how you want to approach it."

“La Flèche Wallonne is a special race for me. The last seven times I rode it, I won it. People enjoy seeing me back at the start. I’m curious myself — about where I stand and whether I can get close to the win again.”

“Do I feel pressure because people immediately associate me with La Flèche Wallonne? That comes with winning it seven times in a row. It was the race where I was at my best. As long as you’re the best, that’s enjoyable. That pressure can either paralyse you, or you can draw confidence from it.”

“I’m not the top favourite now. The situation is different from 2021. I realise that expectations will always be there — I understand that, and I have them myself too. But I know how hard it is to win La Flèche Wallonne. Above all, I’m curious to see how far I can go.”