Ladies Preview of La Flèche Wallonne Femmes: Audrey De Keersmaeker hopes to repeat strong performance from the Brabantse Pijl

Audrey De Keersmaeker had set her sights on the Ardennes Classics, and at the Brabantse Pijl, she proved she’s in shape—finishing 13th in a field stacked with big names like Marianne Vos and Elise Chabbey. It’s a result that gives her a boost of confidence: “Before the Brabantse Pijl, I secretly hoped to finish in the top twenty in one of the Ardennes Classics,” De Keersmaeker says. “With my 13th place, I’ve already managed that (laughs). If I could repeat that result in Huy or on Sunday in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, that would be truly amazing.”

As always, the race kicks off in Huy, but the peloton first heads toward Namur, where the Côte de Bissinau and Côte de Petite Somme could already shake things up. “It’s important to conserve as much energy as possible in the early stages of the race,” says De Keersmaeker. “If we look at previous editions, it always came down to the final local lap. So the key is to hit that part of the course feeling as fresh as possible.”

The women will tackle the Mur de Huy twice in total, but the reintroduction of the Côte de Cherave—just five kilometers from the finish—promises to make the finale even tougher. “This year, the Côte de Cherave is back in the route. It’s a climb I haven’t experienced yet, as this is only my second Flèche Wallonne. But it’s clear that this climb will be a decisive factor and will make the finish even harder. Positioning and holding that position will be crucial once again. When the big names make their move, I have to try to be at the front and go with them. I hope to stay with the best for as long as possible,” De Keersmaeker concludes.

Photo: Brecht Steenhouwer