04.23.08 - Canada’s Alex Wrubleski fourth at Fleche Wallonne World Cup cycling race

HUY, Belgium – Alex Wrubleski of Regina made another major statement in women’s international road cycling on Wednesday with a fourth place finish at the Fleche Wallonne World Cup event, one of the most prestigious one-day races in the sport.

Marianne Vos of the Netherlands won the 103.5 kilometre race in two hours and 46 minutes and 42 seconds edging by a second world champion Marta Bastianelli of Italy and by two seconds Judith Arndt of Germany. Wrubleski, sixth at the previous World Cup stop in the Netherlands almost two weeks ago, was only nine seconds off the winning time.

‘’All the top riders in the world were here today,’’ said Wrubleski, who was making her Fleche Wallonne debut. ‘’Plus it’s a course which will have some similarities to what we’ll see in Beijing at the Olympics. I’m super happy I had a chance to test myself in this situation. This was a real test to see where I stood and what my fitness level was at. A really good race.’’

Canadian national team coach Vincent Jourdain said the Fleche Wallonne is a big challenge even for the most accomplished veterans.

‘’It’s a very difficult race,’’ said Jourdain. ‘’There’s about seven successive climbs in the last 50 kilometres. You always had to be well positioned because there were falls, flats and collisions. Alex gave a tremendous performance.’’

A group of 34 riders, including Wrubleski and Anne Samplonius of Montreal, arrived at the foot of the famed Mur de Huy, a gruelling 1.3 kilometre climb that ends the race. With 50 metres to go Wrubleski was in third before being passed by Bastianelli.

‘’I wasn’t in the best position going into that last climb,’’ said Wrubleski, 23, ninth at the world championships last year. ‘’I really had to work my way up there. This is my favourite type of course, with the power climb ending. And this is one of the few in women’s cycling that’s like that.’’

Samplonius was 25th, Leigh Hobson of Cambridge, Ont., 64th, Erinne Willock of Victoria 65th and Felicia Greer of Fredericton 67th.

Joubert said the Canadian performances will be worth valuable Olympic qualifying points. Canada is battling to stay ranked in the top-16 nations in women’s road cycling. A top-16 ranking by May 31 would allow Canada to qualify three riders for the Olympic Games this August in Beijing.

Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg won the 199.5 kilometre men’s race with Cadel Evans of Australia second and Damiano Cunego of Italy third.

Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria was the top Canadian in 39th.

Canadian Cyclist Interview with Alex Wrubleski

Canadian Cyclist just finished a telephone interview with Alex Wrubleski in the Canadian team car on her way back to the hotel after finishing an extremely strong fourth in La Fleche Wallonne World Cup today. Wrubleski and team mate Anne Samplonius were in the final selection of 34 riders which hit the bottom of the infamous Mur de Huy climb to the finish line. Wrubleski was actually sitting in third until the final 30 metres, when Marta Bastianelli (Italian National Team) and Judith Arndt (Team High Road) both passed her to take second and third. Marianne Vos (Team DSB Bank) was already in front and took the win. Anne Samplonius finished 25th.

CC: So congratulations, what a fantastic ride!

Alex Wrubleski: Thanks, it was a really good day.

CC: So tell us how the race developed leading up to that final climb.

AW: Well, most of the teams want it to come down to the climb, so the big teams like High Road were covering every single move. The only one that got away a bit was [Fabiana] Luperini (Italy); she got about a minute but Cervelo Lifeforce and High Road brought that back. Every team had their climber, so they all wanted to keep it together.

On the second to last climb, I guess, a major split happened in the peloton. Me and Anne both were in the front group, and after that it came down to a scramble to get to the front on the last climb.

CC: And how did it go on the Mur?

AW: Well, I had to almost squirm my way out of the group, to get up there. I was in third for a long time, then I was caught in the last 30 metres. It was really hard to watch ... I was so close.

CC: You've made a big step up this year from last; now you are regularly in the top-10. What has changed, what are you doing differently?

AW: Well, my form is really good right now, and I guess I figured out a lot of things over the winter.

CC: Like what?

AW: Well, recovery was a huge issue last year. I was constantly over training. Now I know better when to stop pushing myself in training.

CC: You also seem to be getting better at strategy and positioning in the races.

AW: Definitely. This trip has been incredible; I'm learning so much every single race. I still didn't position myself perfectly, but I keep getting better. Originally I didn't really want to do this project, but I'm really glad the CCA sent us. I'm getting more used to the Europeans, the way of racing. I know who to watch now, and it's getting easier to move around in the peloton.

CC: So what's next on the schedule?

AW: Well we have a race in Luxembourg on Saturday, and one in Belgium on Sunday, and that's it for the CCA project. Erinne and I will go back to [trade team] Webcor then and stay here to do Bern (World Cup) and the Tour de l'Aude.

CC: This must take some pressure off about Olympic selections?

AW: Yes, I'm pretty confident that Canada will get three spots now [for the women's road race]. With this fourth at the World Cup it puts me in a good position for the selection, so I'm really confident that I will go [to Beijing]. I'm just relieved to have the pressure off.