 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
88th Liege-Bastogne-Liege / Luik-Bastenaken-Luik - (CDM)
Belgium, April 21, 2002
Liege-Bastogne-Liege News
April 19, 2002
Aerts looking to Liege-Bastogne-Liege
 |
It's a rare rider who can win both La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege in the same week. The last time anyone did it was in 1991 where Moreno Argentin took out both races in the "Ardennes Weekend" as it used to be known. Lotto's Mario Aerts is hoping to be the next rider, after winning yesterday's dash to the top of the Mur de Huy.
Aerts is 27 years old, is 1.81 metres tall and weighs 67 kilos. He is nearing his peak as a rider and hopes to improve on his rather sparse palmares. That he put down to a lack of confidence in his own ability, much like the previous incarnation of Erik Dekker, who 'found himself' in 2000 when he won three stages of the Tour de France.
"I am inspired by his example, to target specific objectives," said Aerts a day after his victory. "In the Tour de France, I will concenrate my efforts on certain stages."
After Liege and the Amstel Gold Race, Aerts will take some recovery time, missing the Giro and then building up for the Tour.
For Liege-Bastogne-Liege "I have nothing to lose. I can go to Liege calmly. I will go to win." Aerts added that Casagrande, Frigo and Boogerd were his favourites for LBL, after they showed good form in La Fleche.
Lampre-Daikin for Liège-Bastogne-Liège
The Lampre-Daikin team facing the côtes of the Ardennes is very similar to the team that will take part in the next Giro d'Italia. The team is led by Pavel Tonkov and Raimondas Rumsas - the latter who is almost completely recovered after last month's injury. Gabriele Missaglia and Maximilian Sciandri have both performed well in the early season World Cups, and are hoping for more results in Liege.
The team
Pavel Tonkov, Raimondas Rumsas, Gabriele Missaglia, Maximilian Sciandri, Massimo Codol, Juan Manuel Garate, Sergio Barbero, Milan Kadlec. Team manager: Pietro Algeri.
