87th Liege-Bastogne-Liege/Luik-Bastenaken-Luik (CDM)

Belgium, April 22, 2001

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Complete Live Report

Start time: 1000 CET
Estimated finish time: 1650 CET

Welcome to today's live coverage of the 87th Liege-Bastogne-Liege/Luik-Bastenaken-Luik - the fourth round of the World Cup and the last Belgian classic of the year. This race is best suited to the climbers, and riders like Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), Michele Bartoli (Mapei), Davide Rebellin (Liquigas), and Axel Merckx (Domo) are expected to do well.

The weather at the moment is quite cool, but there is a predicted maximum of 11 degrees with sunshine, making it a perfect spring day for cycling.

1045 CET

Belgian Marc Streel (Collstrop) is the first rider to attack. He gets a 30 second gap.

1100 CET - 26 km

With the peloton still very much in cruise mode, Collstrop's Marc Streel has gained a 3 minute advantage on the bunch. He is now being chased by compatriot Sebastien Mattozza (Ville de Charleroi), who has already got a 1 minute gap.

1150 CET - 58 m/200 km to go

Belgian Marc Streel (Collstrop) has put his head down and extended his lead to approximately 12 minutes, with Sebastien Mattozza (VdC) still chasing Streel at one minute down.

Although Johan Museeuw (Domo) and Andre Tchmil (Lotto) are riding today, the current leader of the World Cup, Romans Vainsteins (Domo) is not, preferring to save his strength for next weekend's Amstel Gold Race.

1205 CET - 65 km/193 km to go

The weather here in Belgium is even better than predicted - 13 degrees and sunny. The conditions are markedly different to last weekend's mudwrestling contest in France.

This morning before the start, 24 riders from 4 separate teams were blood tested. No-one was declared unfit to race.

1210 CET - 68 km/191 km to go

Marc Streel (Collstrop) looks like staying out in front for some time, as his lead has increased to over 15 minutes. The Belgian has had a chequered history, a pro since 1994 when he started with Collstrop. He has won 18 races, including the Tour of Denmark in 1998 and the Belgian TT championship in 1999. However, he was fired by his Home-Jack&Jones team in 1999 after recording a high hematocrit. Last year he rode for Ville de Charleroi before joining Collstrop at the end of the season.

1231 CET - 80 km/169 km to go

Marc Streel is now at the base of the first major hill of the race, the Côte de Saint-Roch (81 km).He still maintains his 15 minute advantage, and is still riding alone, as Sebastien Mattozza has not caught him.

1251 CET - 102 km/156 km to go

Marc Streel (Collstrop) has now made it to Bastogne (Bastenaken) with a massive 20 minute advantage over the peloton. He still has another 50 km to go before he hits the remainder of the hills. Behind, CSC's Marcelino Garcia Alonso is leading up the Côte de Saint-Roch. Sebastien Mattozza is currently 2'30 behind Streel.

1312 CET - 115 km/143 km to go

The peloton has gone through Liege now, 20'35 behind Streel (so at least the gap has stabilised...). Mattozza is slowly losing time though, and trails Streel by 4 minutes now.

1341 CET - 135 km/123 km to go

Belgians hold the record for the most number of LBL victories, with 57, including 5 by the legendary Eddy Merckx. Italians are next best, with 9 (including 4 by Moreno Argentin), followed by the French and Swiss with 5 wins, the Dutch with 3 wins, the Irish and Germans with 2 wins and the Russians, Danish, and Luxembourgish with 1 win apiece.

Argentin was the last rider to win both La Fleche Wallonne and LBL in the same year (1991).

Marc Streel still has a 20 minute lead, and is grinding away as he approaches the serious climbs. He escaped after just 7 kilometres.

1359 CET - 147 km/111 km to go

Streel's advantage has fallen significantly to 9'50 as he is 6 km away from the Côte de Wanne. He is still riding smoothly, but the race has heated up behind him now.

An interesting Streel snippet: His action today is "a hormonal reaction" to Rik Verbrugghe's victory last Wednesday in the Waalse Pijl. Rik married Streel's ex-wife.

1413 - CET 152 km/105 km to go

The blond, bandana'ed Marc Streel (Collstrop-Palmans) is struggling up the Cote de Wanne, with its steepest part at 13 percent. He has been alone now for 147 kilometres, and is showing the signs his effort. He has at least managed to stay away in time to make the live TV coverage, which is so important for the smaller teams.

Sebastien Matozza (Ville de Charleroi) is in between Streel and the peloton, which is being led by -surprise - Ludo Dierckxsens (Lampre), Mr Perpetual Motion of cycling. He has his teammate Max Sciandri in tow, with Telekom's Udo Bolts prominent. The gap is now just 6'34.

1425 CET - 160 km/98 km to go

Ironman Udo Bolts sprints over the top of the Cote de Wanne, and continues to set the tempo on the descent. Dierckxsens (Lampre), Kessler (Telekom) and Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) join him.

Marc Streel is near the base of the Stockeu now, but Mattozza was caught on the Cote de Wanne.

1431 CET - 165 km/93 km to go

There is a fall in the peloton (which has regrouped), and a Esukaltel rider - Flores(?) goes down, along with a US Postal.

1431 CET - 165 km/93 km to go

There is a fall in the peloton, and a Esukaltel rider - Flores(?) goes down, along with a US Postal rider. Chris Horner (Mercury) strips off his leg warmers, as many other riders remove items of clothing.

Banesto goes on the attack, with Jose Luis Arrieta flying off the front of the peloton.

1438 CET - 168 km/90 km to go

Marc Streel has just passed through the town of Stavelot, and is riding up the Cote de Stockeu with a 2'35 gap. The climb is quite tough - 22% and cobbled.

1442 CET - 170 km/88 km to go

Streel is inching his way up the 22 percent grade, on smooth roads now. But his gap is just over a minute. The peloton is being led by Camenzind (Lampre), Van Haecke (Landbouwkrediet), Elli (Telekom), Merckx (Domo). Jose Luis Arrieta (iBanesto.com) is reabsorbed.

Streel is finally caught 1 km from the top of the Stockeu. Johan Museeuw and Ludo Dierckxsens are in trouble at the rear of the peloton.

1450 CET - 172 km/86 km to go

Udo Bolts and Alberto Martinez (Euskaltel) have opened a small gap on the descent of the Stockeu, but Axel Merckx shoots off after them. They are now riding on the Côte de Wanneranval, as Merckx catches Bolts. This climb has an average grade of 9.4%, with a maximum of 15%.

1458 CET - 179 km/79 km to go

Over the top of the Cote de Wanneranval, and Alberto Martinez has a 15 second gap on a group containing Merckx, Bolts, Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo), Julich (CA), Unai Osa (iBanesto), who will probably be caught by the main part of the peloton.

Tyler Hamilton was the US Postal rider who fell earlier with Iker Flores. He has been taken to hospital with a shoulder injury.

1502 CET - 184 km/74 km to go

Alberto Martinez is caught by a group containing Maarten den Bakker (Rabobank), Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi), Koos Moerenhout (Domo), Jorg Jackshe (ONCE), Max Sciandri (Lampre), Jens Heppner (Telekom), Bobby Julich (CA), and Michel van Haecke (Landbouwkrediet). Less than 10 km before the next climb, the Cote de Rosier. The gap is 30 seconds to the peloton, led by Fassa Bortolo.

1510 CET - 189 km/69 km to go

Fassa Bortolo lead the peloton, 41 seconds behind the 9 man breakaway. They are riding on the Cote du Rosier at the moment, and the break is working extremely well. Michele Bartoli shows himself near the front of the peloton as well.

1520 CET - 193 km/65 km to go

The nine breakaways are riding up the Cote du Rosier, with a 27 seconds lead on Fassa Bortolo's Ivan Basso and Michele Bartoli (Mapei). Erik Dekker and Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) are looking good as well.

1528 CET - 198 km /62 km to go

Maarten den Bakker (Rabobank) attacks from the break, but is brought back after a few kilometres. Fassa Bortolo still lead the chasing peloton. Dave Bruylandts (Domo), Dario Frigo (Fassa), Alex Vinokourov (Telekom) and Gorazd Stangelj (Liquigas) have bridged up to the break.

1537 CET - 205 km/53 km to go

Mapei lead the chasing peloton now up the Côte de la Vecquée. The ever expanding breakaway has 23 seconds lead.

1547 CET - 212 km/46 km to go

The situation with just over an hour to go in the race is that there are 13 riders: Alberto Martinez (Euskaltel), Dario Frigo (Fassa), Maarten den Bakker (Rabobank), Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi), Koos Moerenhout (Domo), Jorg Jackshe (ONCE), Max Sciandri (Lampre), Jens Heppner (Telekom), Bobby Julich (CA), Michel van Haecke (Landbouwkrediet), Dave Bruylandts (Domo), Alex Vinokourov (Telekom) and Gorazd Stangelj (Liquigas) in the lead, with 41 seconds advantage over a peloton which is being furiously led by the Mapei team.

Lotto also don't have a man in the break.

1553 CET - 217 km/41 km to go

The break is 6 kilometres away from the foot of the Côte de la Redoute, the fifth last climb. Wioth most of the strong teams represented, Mapei-Quick Step are working hard to try and close the 50 second gap. Bartoli is sitting about 5th wheel in the peloton.

1600 CET - 222 km/36 km to go

The 13 man break are riding up the Côte de la Redoute, Stangelj and Martinez are on the back. The peloton is led by Merckx, Boogerd, Rebellin, Bartoli and Zberg. All the top favourites are there.

1603 CET - 223 km/35 km to go

Bartoli accelerates in the peloton, and strings them out but he is "not super" today and can't break the elastic. Mario Aerts (Lotto) leads them now in pursuit of the break.

1603 CET - 223 km/35 km to go

Bartoli accelerates in the peloton, and strings them out but he is "not super" today and can't break the elastic. Mario Aerts (Lotto) leads them now in pursuit of the break.

1608 CET - 225 km/33 km to go

Six riders lead the race now: Stangelj (Liquigas), Frigo (Fassa), Vinokourov (Telekom), Bruylandts (Domo), Mazzoleni (Tacconi) and Den Bakker (Rabobank). They have 53 seconds on the main peloton.

1615 CET - 230 km/28 km to go

There is a bit of messing around oon the Côte de Sprimont, as the peloton try and work out who's job it is to chase these six riders down. The gap grows to over a minute with 28 kilometres to go. Euskaltel and Mapei lead the main group, as Sciandri, Jackshe and Julich catch the leading six again.

1621 CET - 234 km/24 km to go

Nine leaders have 56 seconds on the main peloton, as the third last climb, Côte du Sart-Tilman, approaches. This is turning into a similar situation as the Ronde van Vlaanderen, and there is certainly enough firepower in the break to stay away. Euskaltel is working very hard for Etxebarria, who was second in this race last year.

Dave Bruylandts (Domo) and Alex Vinokouorov (Telekom) open up a nice gap on the leaders.

1628 CET - 239 km/19 km to go

Vino and Bruylandts are caught by Den Bakker, Mazzoleni, Frigo and Stangelj, as Jackshe, Julich and Sciandri are dropped. The orange led peloton are at 35 seconds on the Côte du Sart-Tilman, with 19 km to go.

Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) and Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) attack from the peloton. It is not enough though, as the Fleche Wallonne winner is caught. The gap is just 20 seconds now near the top of the Côte du Sart-Tilman.

1634 CET - 243 km/15 km to go

Alex Zulle (Coast) and Andrei Tchmil (Lotto) show themselves near the front, as the (still large) peloton crest the Côte du Sart-Tilman. The gap is just 9 seconds now as they ride on the Motorway. It looks as though the Cote de St Nicolas will decide it.

1637 CET - 245 km/13 km to go

The six riders are finally caught, and a 50 strong bunch is left to contest the finish in Ans.

Fassa Bortolo and Rabobank are stringing out the peloton on the approach to the Côte de Saint-Nicolas.

1642 CET - 252 km/6 km to go

They're on the foot of the 12% Cote de St Nicolas. Etxebarria, Rebellin, Casagrande, Boogerd are all there. David Etxebarria attacks, but the others are close behind.

1645 CET - 253 km/5 km to go

Five leaders: David Etxebarria (Euskaltel), Francesco Casagrande (Fassa), Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), Davide Rebellin (Liquigas) and Oscar Camenzind (Lampre). Boogerd and Camenzind trail over the top.

1648 CET - 256 km/2 km to go

The five leaders are playing a risky game of cat and mouse, but there is still cooperation amongst them. There is a group with Mancebo, Verbrugghe, Vandevelde, Rumsas at 21 seconds.

On the Cote d'Ans, with 2 km to go, Casagrande leads but Camenzind takes over. Boogerd and Rebellin sit in last position.

1650 CET - 127 km/1 km to go

Rumsas tries to bridge up, as Casagrande leads out the breakaways, followed by Camenzind.

Casagrande goes again into the final corner, and shakes his fist at the others. Boogerd is dropped.

Camenzind gets it! Rebellin second, Etxebarria third.

Results

Unofficial

1 Oscar Camenzind (Swi) Lampre-Daikin           6.47.44 (37.964 km/h)
2 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Liquigas
3 David Etxebarria (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
4 Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
5 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank
6 Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Fassa Bortolo
7 Marcos Serrano (Spa) Mercatone Uno
8 Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank
9 Markus Zberg (Swi) Rabobank
10 Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank