It was no surprise that Demi Vollering, who finished second in last season's Brabante Pile, won this year's rain-soaked race. But the way the Dutchwoman won was more unique.

Demi Vollering, known more for her goal sprints than solo attacks, found a new way to win on Brabantse Pijl in Oweisse, finishing alone, 22 seconds ahead of her nearest rival, for her first win of the 2022 season.

The result, which came from an attack with her compatriot Pauliena Loijackers (Canyon Slam) with 30km remaining in the 141km race, was the first time in the Amstel Gold Race that SD Walks was able to turn her numerical advantage in the lead pack into a victory in Berg en Terblit It came just days after SD Walks failed to convert their numerical advantage in the lead group into a victory in Berg en Terblit, finishing a disappointing second.

After the finish in Brabantspaille, Vollering said that the team had learned from their defeat in Limburg, noting that feeling defeated in that way had ultimately been good for them.

"I think the whole team learned from it, and we had another really cool race today," Vollering told the assembled media, including Cycling News. I think the whole team learned from it. I think the race in Amstel was a good experience for us.

In Brabantspijl, Völlering jumped out alone on the final cobbles up the Mosquesstraat, leaving Louis Jackers behind as he rode solo for the final 10 km to the finish. 25-year-old Völlering was joined by teammates Marlen Reusser, Kasia Niewiadma ( Canyon Slam), and Juliette Labusse (Team DSM), who made a dangerous move with 60 km to go.

The move was followed shortly after by Trek Segafredo, but a lap later Louis Jackers made the winning move.

"I always knew I could do it, but I had never tried it. 'I've always been a little hesitant in races. I was feeling pretty good today and it was nice to have Anna with me on the radio. Of course she is really good and I can learn a lot from her."

"I rode pretty hard on the Mosquesstraat, but I think Louis Jackers was pretty tired too. She is a pretty strong rider. Watching her ride, I think we were all at our limits."

"She attacked and I had to make sure I got into her wheel without hesitation. She's very good at running alone on the front. It was great to be with her in the breakaway group."

Vollering's victory in the third race of the April Classic campaign came after a three-week training camp in Spain's Sierra Nevada. Vollering said that he had been practicing short distance running in the mountains. That was something that would serve him well this week and in La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"I ran a lot of short distances, like two or three minutes. Now for the Classics, I can use the shorter efforts." Now for the Classic, I can use short efforts too.

"In Flèche I was able to learn from Anna van der Breggen (SD Works DS) and how she always did it. But of course, Mule de Uy is also a climb that suited Anna very well, so I need to find my own way. It's a hard climb and can be explosive. It takes years to learn."

"My legs felt good today.