Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2026 Preview: Vollering vs Pieterse vs Niewiadoma vs Ferrand-Prévot (vs the Mur de Huy)

Monday, 20 April 2026 at 14:07

After the Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race, the Flèche Wallonne is traditionally next in line in the series of hilly spring classics. In Huy, it usually comes down to the law of the strongest — and after a season already packed with drama in women's cycling, Wednesday promises more of the same. IDL Pro Cycling takes you through what to expect.

The race has a rich history on the Mur de Huy. Anna van der Breggen owns it more than anyone: six consecutive wins between 2016 and 2021 made the climb her personal territory. More recently, Demi Vollering claimed the win in 2023, while 2024 belonged to Kasia Niewiadoma in a brutal, rain-soaked edition. Last year, Puck Pieterse announced herself on the Mur de Huy in style, outsprinting Vollering to win on her debut. Now she returns to defend that title.

Recent winners La Flèche Wallonne Femmes

2025 Puck Pieterse
2024 Kasia Niewiadoma
2023 Demi Vollering
2022 Marta Cavalli

2021 Anna van der Breggen

2020 Anna van der Breggen

2019 Anna van der Breggen

2018 Anna van der Breggen

2017 Anna van der Breggen

2016 Anna van der Breggen

Route, weather and TV details: Fleche Wallonne Femmes 2026

The women's race starts in Huy itself — unlike the men, who set off from nearby Herstal this year. From there, the peloton heads into the Namur province, where the Côte de Bissinau (2.2 km at 5.5%) and Côte de Petite Somme (1.2 km at 8.0%) serve as the first tests of the day. Warm-ups, really, before the race doubles back for the crucial local circuit around Huy.

The Mur de Huy is tackled twice in total, with the Côte de Cherave (1.3 km at 8.1%) and Côte d'Ereffe (2.1 km at 5.0%) sandwiched in between. The Cherave summit lands just five kilometres from the finish — meaning a strong ride there could yet prove decisive.

As almost always, though, everything will be settled on the Mur de Huy itself: 1.3 kilometres at an average 9.5%. Around 18:00 local time, we'll know who follows Pieterse onto the roll of honour.

Weather: Good conditions are forecast across Wallonia — around 16°C with little wind. A welcome contrast to the last two editions.

Times

Start: 1:40 p.m.

Finish: approximately 5:56 p.m.

Favorites La Flèche Walloone Femmes 2026

Note: the start list is not yet complete and may still change.

Sunday's Amstel Gold Race delivered a surprise winner in young Spaniard Paula Blasi. The UAE Team ADQ rider will line up again on Wednesday, with her team expecting a strong showing — though sport director Michel Cornelisse has acknowledged that the element of surprise is gone. Teammate Karlijn Swinkels, along with Maeva Squiban, also carries outsider status.

The main contenders, however, are well aware of what's coming. Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM) were the two strongest riders on the Cauberg on Sunday, but had to settle for the lower steps of the Amstel podium. Both spoke afterwards of their desire to go one better in Huy.

Vollering noted that the Flèche Wallonne is a different race to the Amstel — one that places even more emphasis on the finale. Her full team selection is not yet confirmed, but she is expected to have the support of fellow favourites Elise Chabbey and Juliette Berthet.

pauline-ferrand-prevot-demi-vollering-puck-pieterse

Then there is Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider won this race 12 years ago — back in 2014 — and returns with Femke de Vries alongside her, with victory firmly in her sights. Defending champion Puck Pieterse of Fenix-Premier Tech is also back. She pipped Vollering on the Mur de Huy last year and will be determined to do it again.

And then there's the small matter of Anna van der Breggen. The seven-time winner — arguably the greatest Flèche Wallonne rider of all time — lines up for SD Worx-Protime alongside the impressive Nienke Vinke, who shone in the Amstel. Van der Breggen is not among the absolute top favourites, but on this climb, you write her off at your peril.

Further names to watch include world champion Magdeleine Vallieres (EF-Oatly), Noemi Ruëgg, and Liane Lippert (Movistar).

IDL Pro Cycling top picks La Flèche Walloone 2026

Top favorites: Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM)

Outsiders: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike), Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech), Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) and Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ)

Longshots: Elise Chabbey, Juliette Berthet (FDJ-Suez), Noemi Ruëgg, Magdeleine Vallieres (EF-Oatly), Karlijn Swinkels, Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ), Liane Lippert (Movistar), Femke de Vries (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Nienke Vinke (SD Worx-Protime)

How to watch the women's Fleche Wallonne 2026 on TV?

After the men's finish, scheduled around 4:30 p.m, you can watch the women's final hour. Below you can find where to watch La Flèche Wallonne Femmes in English by country:

United Kingdom - HBO Max now carries all of the UK cycling coverage.

USA - You will need a subscription to Peacock to watch the racing in the USA.

Canada - FloBikes carries the stream for Canadian fans. Again you will need a subscription, and times vary depending on location

Australia -Australian fans can watch both the men's and women's races for free on SBS on Demand.
In Europe, you can watch all the action on Eurosport.

Write a comment

IDL-productions

In Roubaix he was “vomiting in the car,” but now Tim van Dijke helped lay the foundations for Remco Evenepoel’s Amstel victory

Senna Remijn (20) explains what happened after his lights went out on the Cauberg

Medical marvel Tom Pidcock on three crazy weeks — physically and mentally — and Liège

Niewiadoma follows Vollering at Amstel Gold Race — and credits former Van Vleuten coach for her form

Favorites stage 1 Tour of the Alps 2026 | Sorry Tom, but on paper this one immediately looks made for you

Latest Cycling News

Flèche Wallonne 2026 preview: No Evenepoel — can anyone stop Seixas on the Mur de Huy

"We'll try it every day": a different Arensman announces his Giro ambitions in Innsbruck

Pellizzari's cheer from Innsbruck says everything about what Evenepoel means to Red Bull

Pidcock makes strong return, but beaten by UKYO's Tommaso Dati at Tour of the Alps opener

La Flèche Wallonne 2026 start lists and favourites for the Mur de Huy?

Popular Cycling News

tadej pogacar leo van vliet amstel gold race

Toxic cocktail leaves Amstel Gold Race short on stars: Remco Evenepoel only rider from world top 15 in Gold Race

Michael Matthews’ injuries were even worse than first feared: Australian shares update six weeks after crash

Preview: Amstel Gold Race 2026 | Some big names skip, but plenty to get excited about

No Amstel Gold Race on Sunday for Tom Pidcock, but he will race the Tour of the Alps on Monday