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UCI Road World Cup 2012

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La Fleche Wallone Femmes 2012 - Evelyn Stevens wins on Mur de Huy

La Fleche Wallonne, Belgium, 109.5km

Race Writeup

Evelyn Stevens (Specialised Lululemon)  won the race of her life with a win up the gruelling Mur de Huy. 2011 winner Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo) was second just behind Stevens. Linda Villumsen (GreenEDGE-AIS) secured third 

The race opened up with an attack from Amanda Spratt (GreenEDGE- AIS) who opened up a gap of 2 minutes on the peloton before a lone chaser Inge Cilivante (Diadora Pasta Zara ) gave chase but could not catch Spratt. As the lone leader was within 10km of the first assent of the Mur de Huy, the gap was down to 20 seconds. The chase was high paced from the bunch and was led by AA Drink's Emma Pooley. At the base of the Mur de Huy the bunch were all together. As the front of the peloton stretched the group cracks quickly appeared and 25 leaders emerged over the top. Including last years winner Vos with her team mates Annemiek van Vleuten and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Stichting Rabo), Emma Johansson (Hitec), Judith Arndt, Tiffany Cromwell and Villumsen (GreenEDGE-AIS), Stevens, Amber Neben and Clara Hughes (Specialised Lululemon), Emma Pooley, Sharon LAws and Lucinda Brand (AA Drink) although Pooley later suffered a mechanical and lost touch with the bunch and was forced out of the race.

With 30km to go lead group of 25 stretched out their lead.  the peloton was together. At 14km to go, a group of three riders attacked, Villumsen, Brand and Hughes quickly gained a 48 second lead over the chase group. Vos counter attacked to close the gap to the leaders. As the front of the race on the climb to the top of the Cote d'Ereffe Vos was chased by Stevens. On the decent to the town of Huy, with 3km to go, five leaders formed a group and led at the foot of the climb to the finish. In the final 750m, the Stevens attacked first on the steepest part with 300m to go. Vos was on her wheel but the effort of chasing to close the gap earlier had taken is toll and Vos could not catch the American. Villumsen battled to stay ahead of Brand in the final 100m. Stevens crossed the line 4 seconds ahead of Vos, with Villumsen 20 seconds back. 

Vos maintains a commanding lead in the World Cup standings. Her nearest rival is Judith Arndt GreenEDGE-AIS 61 points behind. The next round is in China in May. 

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