Opinion: Annemiek Van Vleuten answers critics in style and puts down marker for the Tour de France Femmes

With a superb solo victory at Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes under her belt, Annemiek van Vleuten tops and tails the spring classics season with victories, silencing the doubters who questioned whether she would be able to achieve at the highest level again following consecutive defeats. The Dutch rider, who is 39 years old, launched one of her characteristic gritty attacks on the final climb of the day, the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, to distance her rivals and give her a huge boost of confidence as stage race season begins in earnest.

With much of the pre-race focus on FDJ Nouvelle-Acquitaine-Futuroscope’s Marta Cavalli, who had the prospect of the Ardennes triple, it wasn’t simply the 89th victory of her career; rather, it was a statement of intent. Ad/> Van Vleuten was open about how the increased strength in depth in the women’s peloton made for ever more challenging races, but she was positive about her own condition.

She stated she felt stronger than ever in certain aspects of her riding, and yet she hasn’t seen the same levels of success this season as she has in the past. Liège — Bastogne — LiègeLiege-Bastogne-Liege 2022 LIVE: Alaphilippe crashes out as Bahrain set the paceAN HOUR AGO The 2022 season has been a battleground in the women’s world tour, with more teams riding a greater variety of races, and a wealth of talent making life difficult for the Movistar rider who, in previous years, has found her way to victory simply by attacking on climbs and going solo – a tactic which has been extraordinarily successful for her, time and time again.