'I really didn't feel well' – Anna van der Breggen cuts through with fourth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège despite illness

Anna van der Breggen demonstrated remarkable resilience by securing fourth place at the 2026 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes despite battling illness. The Dutch rider, who returned to professional cycling after a brief retirement, has faced ongoing health challenges throughout the Ardennes Classics this season. Although she had a promising start with a ninth place at Amstel Gold Race and fifth at La Flèche Wallonne, a cold significantly hampered her performance in the final race, leaving her feeling far from her best. Van der Breggen described her condition as riding at only 70% capacity, which made the race particularly frustrating given her strong history in the Ardennes events. The 36-year-old managed to stay competitive, joining the leading chase group with 10 kilometres remaining and contesting the sprint for the final podium spots. Ultimately, she was edged out by Puck Pieterse and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, who took second and third respectively, while Demi Vollering claimed victory with a decisive attack earlier in the race. The race dynamics were further complicated by mechanical issues affecting Van der Breggen’s SD Worx-Protime teammate Lotte Kopecky, which disrupted their team strategy. Despite these setbacks, Van der Breggen remained positive about her performance under tough conditions and reflected on the missed opportunities had she been in full health. She expressed regret that the Ardennes Classics were over, noting that her form was improving before the illness struck. Looking ahead, Van der Breggen is focused on recovery and preparing for the Vuelta a España, signalling her determination to continue competing at the highest level. Her ability to contend for a podium place while unwell underscores her enduring class and competitiveness in women’s cycling. This performance offers encouragement for the remainder of the season as she aims to build on her comeback and challenge for more victories.