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Anna van der Breggen defies illness to secure an impressive fourth place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Here’s why her performance could reshape perceptions of her comeback season.
Despite battling a cold that hindered her performance, the 36-year-old Dutch rider from SD Worx-ProTime showcased remarkable resilience. After a challenging 2025 season, where she faced a DNF at Amstel Gold Race and a DNS at La Flèche Wallonne, this year opened with a ninth-place finish followed by fifth in the mid-week Flèche Wallonne.
Van der Breggen admitted, “I really didn’t feel well,” stating she rode at only 70% capacity during the race. Yet, she pushed through, ultimately joining the leading pursuit group with about 10km remaining. Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) made a decisive move at 35km, leaving Van der Breggen to contend for the remaining podium spots.
In a sprint finish, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM) claimed second and third, while Van der Breggen’s fourth place speaks volumes about her determination and potential moving forward in the season. Her grit under pressure may set the tone for her upcoming races.
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