Speaking to RoadCyclingUK at the end of last season, British champion Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) was fiercely determined to bounce back from a disappointing – at least by her own high standards – 2013 campaign.
So far, so good in that respect then, as the Olympic silver medallist furthered her grip on the UCI Women’s Road World Cup lead after a third consecutive second place.
Up against rival Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv) for the first time this season, Armitstead was in top form on the Mur de Huy, with only Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Rabobank-Liv) pipping her to La Fleche Wallonne Femmes success.
Compatriot Emma Pooley (Lotto-Belisol Ladies) also enjoyed a successful race – her first World Cup outing of the season – as she finished seventh.
Here’s how the race unfolded through the lens of Pascal Perreve’s, courtesy of of race organisers ASO.