Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo), the solo winner of the Paris-Roubaix Fam four days ago, was a little behind the best in La Fleche Wallonne Féminine.

In the 25th edition of the classic Wallonne race, the Italian champion felt her efforts in Paris-Roubaix on Saturday and was unable to follow her best in Mule de Huy, 30 seconds behind winner Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope). She finished in sixth place.

"I could feel the fire in my legs from the beginning and the Mule de Uy was just painful," Longo Borghini recalled of the race.

"It was like climbing a flight of stairs. But in the end it was a good result anyway. The team did a great job and I couldn't have asked for more from my legs.

After Lucinda Brand failed to attack on the first of three climbs on the Mur de Huy, the Trek-Segafredo team put Leah Thomas in a 10-man strong breakaway group. They were caught only on the final climb, the Côte de Chélève.

On this climb, Ellen van Dijk secured Longo Borghini's position and followed the acceleration of Katarzyna Nieviadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Demi Volering (Team SD Walks). Longo Borghini arrived in Huy with the lead group. [Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar Team), Rian Lippert (Team DSM), Vollering, teammate Ashley Moolman-Pasio, and Cavalli rode downhill for the win.

Soon after, Longo Borghini was also passed by Margarita Victoria Garcia (UAE Team ADQ), who passed the stalling Lippert in the last 30 meters to finish in sixth place.

"To be honest, I felt lonely for the hour I spent in front. I worked very hard on Saturday. Today I could really feel my effort. It's just a race," Longo Borghini said cheerfully after the race.