11th Women's Flèche Wallonne - CDM

Belgium, April 23, 2008

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by AFP Photo

• Marianne Vos (DSB Bank) powers to victory on the Mur de Huy

Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• Suzanne De Goede (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) held the World Cup lead going into the race, but is much more of a sprinter than a climber.
• Christiane Soeder (Cervelo Lifeforce) is all smiles as usual. She attempted to break away in mid race, but was quickly reeled in.
• Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Lifeforce) was confident about getting a result before the race but problems in the middle part may have cost her dearly.
• Noemi Cantele (Bigla Cycling Team) told Cyclingnews before the start that she would have a chance of victory if she could get away. She tried, but wasn't allowed to get far.
• Natalie Bates (Menikini-Selle Italia) has been sick in the run up to this race and described it as a "real heart starter" at the finish.
• Kimberly Anderson (High Road) has joined the team in Europe.
• Edita Pucinskaite (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) was one of the favourites today, but could only make unlucky 13th place.
• Nicole Cooke (Great Britain National Team) and her team are riding in red, white and blue instead of orange and black today to allow for the inclusion of Emma Pooley.
• Peloton complete. Everyone is together in the early stages.
• Marta Bastianelli (Italian National Team) keeps her rainbow jersey close to the front.
• Karin Thürig (Cervelo Lifeforce) leads the peloton up a rise in the beautiful Ardennes countryside.
• The bunch takes a corner still led by Karin Thürig (Cervelo Lifeforce), who will be slowing it down for...
• ...Sarah Düster and Christiane Soeder, who have gone back to help Cervelo Lifeforce team-mate Kristin Armstrong.
• Marta Bastianelli (Italian National Team) had a small crash and had to chase alone for a while.
• Team Bigla leads the peloton on the way out of Bonneville with 40km to go.
• Natalie Bates (Menikini-Selle Italia) leads Sarah Düster (Cervelo Lifeforce) as they try to rejoin.
• Carmen McNellis (USA National Team) tries to regain contact.
• A lone French rider rides against the backdrop of the Ardennes countryside.
• Marta Bastianelli (Italian National Team) struggles for breath after finishing second in her first Flèche Wallone.
• Ouch! Suzanne De Goede (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) got her best ever finish at the race but lost the World Cup lead to Marianne Vos (Team DSB Bank).
• Sharon Laws (Great Britain National Team) did a lot of good work for her team captain today.
• Team-mates: Andrea Bosman congratulates DSB Bank team-mate and race winner Marianne Vos.
• Lauren Franges (USA National Team) finished the race, but was unfortunately outside the time limit.
• Fabiana Luperini (Menikini-Selle Italia) reflects on what might have been after her lone attack gained a minute but was reeled back in.
• The two winners: Marianne Vos (Team DSB Bank) is joined by Kim Kirchen (High Road) who won the men's race.

Images by WomensCycling.net

• Emma Rickards (Cervelo Lifeforce) waits to take team-mates back up to the bunch.
• Carmen McNellis (USA National Team) in the Andennes countryside.
• Spanish Champion Maribel Marino (Spain).
• Christine Thorburn (USA National Team) reflects on a hard day.
• Linda Villumsen (High Road) finishes the race.
• A small group, including Carmen McNellis (USA National Team), finishes at the top of the Mur de Huy.
• It’s a picturesque finish line in Huy.
• Sarah Duester (Cervelo Lifeforce) shows the pain of the day in her eyes.
• Marianne Vos (DSB) looks behind to check that victory is hers.
• Marianne Vos (Team DSB Bank) gives a victory salute ahead of Marta Bastianelli (Italian National Team) and Judith Arndt (High Road).
• Emma Pooley (Great Briton National Team) rode well in another hilly World Cup.
• Nicole Cooke (Great Briton National Team) was the winner here in 2005 and 2006.
• Marianne Vos (Team DSB Bank) is helped away from the finish line by DSB team staff.
• Podium (L-R): Judith Arndt (High Road), Marianne Vos (Team DSB Bank), Marta Bastianelli (Italian National Team).
• Marianne Vos (DSB Bank) is the new leader in the Women's World Cup.
• Fabiana Luperini (Menikini Selle Italia) made a brave, solo attempt.
• Marina Jaunatre (Vienne Futuroscope) follows in the bunch through a corner.

Images by Dion Kerckhoffs/www.wielerfotos.web-log.nl

• Judith Ardnt heads to the start.
• Mirjam Melchers van Poppel returns to La Fleche Wallonne after a long recovery from injury.
• A team-mate of the eventual winner focuses on the race ahead.
• Marianne Vos relaxed before the start.
• The women depart under sunny skies.
• Emma Johansson (AA Drink)
• Judith Arndt leads Vos up the Mur de Huy.
• Marianne Vos wears the stripes of a former world champion on her sleeves.
• Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) gives it some gas on the Mur.
• Amber Neben (Flexpoint) finished up in fifth.
• Grete Treier (Gauss RDZ Ormu) shows the effort of the Mur de Huy.
• Suzanne De Goede (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) rode strong in defense of her World Cup leader's jersey.
• Irene Van Den Broek (AA Drink) puts in a strong effort to finish 22nd.
• Chantel Beltman (High Road)
• This Flexpoint rider is happy because her team made it in the money with fifth!

Images by Niels De Wit/www.nielsdewit.be

• Arndt begins to fade perhaps timing her move a bit too early.
• Arndt puts in an attack on the Mur
• Vos focuses on the climb
• World Champion Marta Bastianelli timed her effort well and finished second.
• Sofie Goor (Lotto Belisol)
• De Goede put in a strong effort but still lost the World Cup lead to Vos.
• Suzanne De Goede (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) heads up the Mur de Huy.