South African Ashleigh Moolman Pasio is getting ever closer to finally clinching a La Flèche Wallonne victory after numerous top placings, including runner-up last year.
The national road champion, who will ride for the CCC-Liv Team in tomorrow’s race that starts at the Grand-Place square in Huy, Belgium, noted that her many top-10 finishes had included coming fifth, fourth and third, along with her second place last year.
“I’m getting closer and closer to the victory and it would be a dream come true, as well as a career goal, to win.
South African Ashleigh Moolman Pasio is getting ever closer to clinching a La Flèche Wallonne win. Photo: Velofocus
“This year I can be confident knowing I have a really great team around me that will support my objective of going for the title.”
She added that her teammate, Marianne Vos, had won the event on several occasions – in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013.
“Being able to learn from her experience and to get some inside feedback around how she has won it will be very valuable in achieving success.”
The 33-year-old said La Flèche Wallonne had been her favourite race since the time she first participated, early in her career in 2010.
“There’s something really special about finishing up on the Mur de Huy.
“It’s really so hard but then at the same time it’s such a wonderful experience because there are so many people on the sides cheering you along that you manage to forget all the suffering. It gives you all the motivation and energy [you need] to keep pushing.”
She said another reason it was a goal race was the fact that she had always realised it suited her well.
“I’m very good at these really steep uphills, particularly when they’re at the finish.”
In tomorrow’s 118.5km race riders will tackle a 70km opening loop which features the Côte de Warre climb, before reaching the final circuit where they will take on Ereffe-Cherave-Mur twice.
The finish will be at the top of the second ascent of the Mur.
“The race has changed a bit over the years, but essentially the finish is the same and we climb the really steep Mur to finish and at the end of the day that’s what determines the winner,” said Moolman Pasio.
She felt the route suited her due to her being an all-rounder.
“When I first started cycling I was considered pretty much only a climber, but as I’ve developed and grown I’ve become more confident and gained more skills.
“I’ve actually become an all-rounder, so I can time-trial, sprint, I’m good at the short climbs in the classics and the longer climbs in the tours, as well as on cobbles.”
She felt grateful for being an all-rounder as it enabled her to contest many different races throughout the season.
“I usually structure my season in a way that I definitely aim to have my biggest peak performance in April for the Ardennes classics [Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège].
“I’m feeling good and on form for tomorrow.”
