Seven-time Flèche Wallonne winner van der Breggen on what has changed since her era
CyclingThursday, 23 April 2026 at 10:33
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Follow us on GoogleAnna van der Breggen was once again in the mix at the Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday — but victory proved out of reach for the SD Worx-Protime rider. After finishing fifth in Huy, the seven-time winner spoke of the biggest difference between racing now and her dominant spell from 2015 to 2021.
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Puck Pieterse, who finished second on the day, had said it before the race: the women's peloton is simply getting faster. Van der Breggen, who made her comeback in early 2025, can confirm that better than almost anyone.
"It's different," she said plainly. "The general level is just higher, and you notice it in positioning too — you get pushed out much more easily. It wasn't like that before."
Read on below the video!
'Demi is just a lot better'
There is plenty to be proud of, though. Finishing fifth at 36 in one of the most competitive races on the women's calendar is no small thing. "It went well, I think. It's a very good result — but the racing is just faster. That's the big difference."
She is also the first to acknowledge the strength of the winner. Van der Breggen once coached Vollering during their time together at SD Worx, and knows her better than most. "Demi is just a lot better. She starts hard at the bottom and she finishes hard too."
Looking at her own progress, Van der Breggen is measured but positive. "I'm satisfied with how things are going and I feel I've taken a step forward compared to last year. I'm particularly looking forward to the stage races — where recovery between days matters just as much as the legs."
Ready for Liège
SD Worx-Protime posted a race update on X where Van der Breggen expressed her excitement for the 4th Monument of the year on Sunday: “I’m looking forward to Liège-Bastogne-Liège.” While van de Breggen is not an out and out favourite for La Doyenne, the 2x winner (2017, 2018) can never be counted out.
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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