Linda Villumsen has finished third at prestigious La Fleche Wallonne Feminine cycle race in Belgium overnight (NZT).
The New Zealander, who has won two world time trial medals, rode aggressively and was part of a three-woman breakaway that built up a 50 second lead at the top of the Cote d'Amay.
On the climb up the Cote de Bouillet, Dutchwoman and four-time winner Marianne Vos and American Evelyn Stevens joined and then passed the trio with Stevens going on to claim her first title. Villumsen won the sprint for third.
"When I couldn't chase down Vos and Stevens, I did everything I could to save myself for the finish,"Villumsen said. "I drafted to save my legs. I drank as much as I could take in. I mentally reviewed the sprint. This paid off."
La Fleche Wallonne Feminine was first raced for in 1998 when it was held in conjunction with the men's race. From the following year onwards, it was added as a UCI women's road cycling World Cup event.
