With a strong breakaway holding an advantage heading into the last 20/30km, the victory for the pre-race favourites didn't always look guaranteed. It seems though, the peloton has learnt their lessons from past mistakes. "That gap was quite big, yes. I thought for a moment: 'It can't be the same as in the Omloop, can it?'" Vollering recalls with a laugh. "Juliette Labous did a great job, but when I wanted to attack, my chain got stuck. That plan caused a cross, but I stayed calm and then I was able to attack Le Tolfe."
And in the end, Vollering proved strongest, once again getting the better of her former team,
Team SD Worx - Protime. "She (Van der Breggen ed.) was smart about it by taking some distance in the descending section. But we rode away together and luckily she cooperated. This was also an opportunity for her," concludes the FDJ - Suez leader. "It's fun to race against Anna again. It reminds me of the old days, of the period when I started racing. It makes me realise how much I have grown in recent years."