Two sensational attacks by the Olympic champion at La Redoute and Roche-aux-Faucons allowed her to win her second ‘Dean’ alone and obtain the Movistar Team’s 8th victory in 2022, fourth of the campaign for the Dutch.
Comments / Annemiek van Vleuten:
“It’s the best way to go home after the classics. It is also a very special moment for the team; I think we are improving a lot in each race, and after a difficult start in Valencia, with various problems for the girls, everything is more or less recovering its course. I have been in good shape throughout this spring campaign, but here it is true that I have found some of my best data ever and it gives a lot of motivation that the efforts of so long are beginning to be compensated with a new victory. Ending the spring with this victory, and seeing the team improve in each test, makes it a very special day.
Even before the race, it was clear to me that my attack had to be at La Redoute, even with the headwind, as it gave me two chances, instead of just one at La Roche, to try to leave the rivals behind. . If I tried the same movement in La Roche, I would have had Reusser or similar to the wheel and the options would have been less. It is noted that the women’s peloton is improving day after day; in 2019, with that attack on La Redoute it served me well. I’ve needed both of those options here, and so I’m glad I anticipated La Redoute.
With the headwind behind La Roche, and more than 10 km still to cover, to be able to maintain that difference until the finish line… I couldn’t believe it. I really enjoyed that last kilometre, absorbing those emotions, finally achieving victory. It has been one of the beautiful ones, really beautiful”.