Demi Vollering returns to defend her title at Liège-Bastogne-Liège with one of the strongest teams, SD Worx. The race, however, will feature a who's who of women's cycling in a bid to win the 142.1km Belgian classic.

The race this Sunday, April 24, covers the meat of the men's race on the same day. Instead of the long run south, the women face the northern leg, which is côte after côte of climbing through the the Belgian Ardennes. The Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons and the Côte de la Redoute should shape the race before the final technical run into the heart of Liège.

Last year, Vollering won the small group sprint ahead of Annemiek Van Vleuten (Movistar) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo). She comes into the 2022 edition ready to defend after a spring that included runner-up spots in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Amstel Gold Race, and the Brabantse Pijl title. Alongside her, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio gives the team another option for the win.

"It's a race that I really enjoy and which suits me very well," Vollering told Boxscroe. 

"I really love the Ardennes. In the past, I often visited it with friends. And I have done several training camps with my boyfriend. So, there are many fond memories. And when I come back, it feels like I'm on holiday. So, I'm always happy to race here, and that's an advantage, I think. I'm really looking forward to it, and I hope to make my mark again."

Besides SD Worx, fans should look to Trek-Segafredo hot of its win in Paris-Roubaix last Sunday with Long Borghini. It will field Ellen van Dijk and Lucinda Brand. The stars for Sunday also include Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM), Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) – 2nd in 2021 and 1st in 2019 – and Amstel Gold Race winner Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope).

Jumbo-Visma is still without its star Marianne Vos who tested positive for Covid ahead of Paris-Roubaix.