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89th Liège - Bastogne - Liège - CDM
Belgium, April 27, 2003
Preview Results Favourites Live report Start List Past winners
Spring classics finish with La Doyenne
By Jeff Jones
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Somewhat fittingly as the oldest classic of them all, the 89th Liège-Bastogne-Liège will also serve as the last of the spring classics this season, having been swapped with the Amstel Gold Race this year. The race which is nicknamed 'La Doyenne' has a long history, first being run in 1892 when Belgian Léon Houa recorded the first of three successive victories. Only Eddy Merckx (1971-73) and Moreno Argentin (1985-87) have matched that feat, with Merckx also holding the record for the most number of wins in this classic (five).
Liège-Bastogne-Liège starts in Liège's Place Saint-Lambert, a large historical square near the centre of town. For the first 95 kilometres, the riders take a fairly direct route to Bastogne, which is nestled in the south eastern corner of Belgium, quite close to Luxembourg. The route coming back is a lot longer however (163 km), and takes in most of the climbs in the race, before finishing in the northern Liège suburb of Ans.
There are 10 recognised climbs in the race, which follows the same 258 kilometre parcours as it has for the last two years. Starting with the Côte Saint-Roch (km 81.8), the climbs are as follows: Côte de Wanne (km 153.8), Côte de Stockeu (km 170.6), Côte de Wanneranval (km 175), Côte du Rosier (km 194), Côte de la Vecquée (km 206.3), Côte de la Redoute (km 223.5), Côte de Sprimont (km 229), Côte du Sart-Tilman (km 244), and the Côte de Saint-Nicolas (km 252.5). The finish in Ans is uphill also.
The action normally really begins in the final 100 kilometres after the Côte de Wanne. The Stockeu (2.5 km at 9.6%) followed by the Côte de Wanneranval (1.4 km at 10.7%) are tough climbs and can help to make the beginnings of a selection, although - as always - it's up to the riders to make the race hard enough. In recent years, the trend has been for a large bunch to be in contention with 20 km to go to the finish, because if La Redoute (km 223, 2.3 km at 7%) doesn't sort them out, the remaining climbs probably won't. However, on the last few climbs (Sart-Tilman or Saint-Nicolas) a small group often gets away to fight it out in Ans.
The Favourites
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In the absence of defending champion Paolo Bettini due to a shoulder injury, the Quick.Step-Davitamon squad will be led by 1999 winner Frank Vandenbroucke. The Walloon Whirlwind has not been able to capitalise on his fine second place in the Ronde van Vlaanderen, suffering bad luck and bad legs in the following classics. However he has targeted L-B-L as a race he definitely wants to win, and if luck stays with him then he could realise this ambition. But there are a lot of candidates for victory in La Doyenne.
Saeco's team of climbing one-day specialists will be buoyed by Igor Astarloa's victory in La Fleche Wallonne mid week, and are sure to go into L-B-L with high morale. With Astarloa, Danilo Di Luca and Mirko Celestino leading the way, it's quite possible that the red brigade could do an Ardennes double.
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Another rider who has targeted Liège-Bastogne-Liège to win is US Postal-Berry Floor's team captain Lance Armstrong. He is definitely one of the favourites after riding strongly in the Amstel Gold Race last week, but he and his team will have to make the race hard enough so that he doesn't have too many riders to sprint against at the end. Armstrong's forte is climbing and time trialling, but you can be sure that he'll be heavily marked by the others.
Alexandre Vinokourov (Telekom) showed a lot of guts to win last week's Amstel, although he also had the benefit of a strong team. With the likes of Mario Aerts and Matthias Kessler, Telekom will be hoping to get Vino into that final group at the end to go for the victory.
Rabobank's Michael Boogerd is clearly in good shape at the moment, placing 12th in La Fleche Wallonne - only just behind Danilo Di Luca who was the best rider in the bunch that never caught the break. Boogerd enjoys climbs, and will be at home in this race.
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Francesco Casagrande (Lampre) showed some good form last week in Amstel, but has never had a podium finish in Liege. He missed out in Fleche Wallonne however, so might be able to put something together for Sunday.
Fassa Bortolo contains two time winner Michele Bartoli, who still seems to be struggling with his form at the moment. Fassa missed the break in Fleche Wallonne and ended up with a best placing of 40th, courtesy of Bartoli. Last year Ivan Basso finished third behind Bettini and Garzelli, so he, Bartoli and Serguei Ivanov will likely be Fassa's leaders in Liege.
The last time a French rider won La Doyenne was in 1980, when Bernard Hinault triumphed over Hennie Kuiper and Ronny Claes. Ag2r's Laurent Brochard will be hoping to emulate that, and the strong rider from Mayenne showed good legs by winning Paris-Camembert last Tuesday.
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The only Spanish rider to have had some success in this classic is Euskaltel's David Etxebarria, who placed third in 2001 and second in 2002. The Euskaltel-Euskadi boys performed well in Fleche Wallonne, in particular Unai Etxebarria (4th), Iban Mayo and Samuel Sanchez (16th and 17th). Can they be the ones to break the tradition in Liege?
Finally, a wild card pick would have to be Jan Ullrich (Team Coast), who suffered a little in Fleche Wallonne but managed to get himself up the Mur de Huy in 31st place. Ullrich may not have a classic in his legs yet, but three days of rest after a tough schedule of racing last week may see him feature more prominently.
Live coverage
Cyclingnews will be covering the 89th Liège - Bastogne - Liège from start to finish. Coverage begins at 10:00 CEST/04:00 EDT, 01:00 PDT, 18:00 AEST).
Past winners
Year First Second Third 2002 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Ivan Basso (Ita) 2001 Oscar Camenzind (Swi) Davide Rebellin (Ita) David Etxebarria Alkorta (Spa) 2000 Paolo Bettini (Ita) David Etxebarria (Spa) Davide Rebellin (Ita) 1999 Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) Michael Boogerd (Ned) Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) 1998 Michele Bartoli (Ita) Laurent Jalabert (Fra) Rodolfo Massi (Ita) 1997 Michele Bartoli (Ita) Laurent Jalabert (Fra) Gabriele Colombo (Ita) 1996 Pascal Richard (Swi) Lance Armstrong (USA) Mauro Gianetti (Swi) 1995 Mauro Gianetti (Swi) Gianni Bugno (Ita) Michele Bartoli (Ita) 1994 Evgeni Berzin (Rus) Lance Armstrong (USA) Giorgio Furlan (Ita) 1993 Rolf Sörensen (Den) Toni Rominger (Swi) Maurizio Fondriest (Ita) 1992 Dirk De Wolf (Bel) Steven Rooks (Ned) Jean-François Bernard (Fra) 1991 Moreno Argentin (Ita) Claude Criquielion (Bel) Rolf Sörensen (Den) 1990 Eric Van Lancker (Bel) Jean-Claude Leclercq (Fra) Steven Rooks (Ned) 1989 Sean Kelly (Ire) Fabrice Philipot (Fra) Phil Anderson (AUS) 1988 Adrie Van der Poel (Ned) Michel Dernies (Bel) Robert Millar (GB) 1987 Moreno Argentin (Ita) Stephen Roche (Ire) Claude Criquielion (Bel) 1986 Moreno Argentin (Ita) Adrie Van der Poel (Ned) Dag-Erik Pedersen (Nor) 1985 Moreno Argentin (Ita) Claude Criquielion (Bel) Stephen Roche (Ire) 1984 Sean Kelly (Ire) Phil Anderson (AUS) Greg LeMond (USA) 1983 Steven Rooks (Ned) Giuseppe Saronni (Ita) Pascal Jules (Fra) 1982 Silvano Contini (Ita) Fons de Wolf (Bel) Steffan Mutter (Swi) 1981 Josef Fuchs (Swi) Steffan Mutter (Swi) Ludo Peeters (Bel) 1980 Bernard Hinault (Fra) Hennie Kuiper (Ned) Ronny Claes (Bel) 1979 Dietrich Thurau (Ger) Bernard Hinault (Fra) Daniel Willems (Bel) 1978 Joseph Bruyere (Bel) Dietrich Thurau (Ger) Francesco Moser (Ita) 1977 Bernard Hinault (Fra) André Dierckx (Bel) Dietrich Thurau (Ger) 1976 Joseph Bruyere (Bel) Freddy Maertens (Bel) Frans Verbeeck (Bel) 1975 Eddy Merckx (Bel) Bruno Thévenet (Fra) Walter Godefroot (Bel) 1974 Georges Pintens (Bel) Walter Planckaert (Bel) 3rd rider declassified 1973 Eddy Merckx (Bel) Frans Verbeeck (Bel) Walter Godefroot (Bel) 1972 Eddy Merckx (Bel) Wim Schepers (Ned) Herman van Springel (Bel) 1971 Eddy Merckx (Bel) Georges Pintens (Bel) Frans Verbeeck (Bel) 1970 Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) Frans Verbeeck (Bel) Eddy Merckx (Bel) 1969 Eddy Merckx (Bel) Vic Van Schil (Bel) Barry Hoban (GB) 1968 Valeer Van Sweevelt (Bel) Walter Godefroot (Bel) Raymond Poulidor (Fra) 1967 Walter Godefroot (Bel) Eddy Merckx (Bel) Willy Monty (Bel) 1966 Jacques Anquetil (Fra) Vic Van Schil (Bel) Willy In 't Ven (Bel) 1965 Carmine Preziosi (Ita) Vittorio Adorni (Ita) Marten Vanden Bossche (Bel) 1964 Willy Bocklandt (Bel) Georges Vanconingsloo (Bel) Vittorio Adorni (Ita) 1963 Frans Melckenbeeck (Bel) Pino Cerami (Bel) Vittorio Adorni (Ita) 1962 Jos Planckaert (Bel) Rolf Wolfshohl (Ger) Claude Colette (Fra) 1961 Rik Van Looy (Bel) Marcel Rorhbach (Fra) Armand Desmet (Bel) 1960 Abe Geldermans (Ned) Pierre Everaert (Fra) Jos Planckaert (Bel) 1959 Alfred De Bruyne (Bel) Frans schoubben (Bel) Frans de mulder (Bel) 1958 Alfred De Bruyne (Bel) Jozef Zagers (Bel) J. Theuns (Bel) 1957 Frans Schoubben (Bel) Germain Derycke (Bel) Marcel Buys (Bel) 1956 Alfred De Bruyne (Bel) Richard Van Genechten (Bel) Alex Close (Bel) 1955 Stan Ockers (Bel) Raymond Impanis (Bel) Jean Branckaert (Bel) 1954 Marcel Ernzer (Lux) Raymond Impanis (Bel) Ferdi Kubler (Swi) 1953 Alois De Hertog (Bel) Maurits Diot (Fra) Raoul Remy (Fra) 1952 Ferdi Kubler (Swi) Henri Van Kerkhove (Bel) Jean Robic (Fra) 1951 Ferdi Kubler (Swi) Germain Derycke (Bel) Wout Wagtmans (Ned) 1950 Prosper Depredomme (Bel) Jean Bogaerts (Bel) Edward Van Dyck (Bel) 1949 Camille Danguillaume (Fra) Adolf Verschueren (Bel) Roger Gyselinck (Bel) 1948 Maurice Mollin (Bel) Raymond Impanis (Bel) Louis Caput (Fra) 1947 Richard Depoorter (Bel) Raymond Impanis (Bel) F. Mathieu (Bel) 1946 Prosper Depredomme (Bel) Albert Hendrickxs (Bel) T. Verstraeten (Bel) 1945 Jean Engels (Bel) Edward Van Dyck (Bel) Jos Moerenhout (Bel) 1943 Richard Depoorter (Bel) Jos Didden (Bel) Stan Ockers (Bel) 1939 Albert Ritserveldt (Bel) Cyriel Van Overberghe (Bel) E. Vissers (Bel) 1938 Alfons Deloor (Bel) Marcel Kint (Bel) Felicien Vervaecke (Bel) 1937 Eloi Meulenbergh (Bel) Gustaaf Deloor (Bel) J. Heirnaert (Bel) 1936 Albert Beckaert (Bel) Gilbert Levae (Bel) K. Horemans (Bel) 1935 Alfons Schepers (Bel) Frans Bonduel (Bel) Louis Hardiquest (Bel) 1934 Theo Heckenrath (Bel) M. Cardinaels (Bel) Jos Moerenhout (Bel) 1933 Francois Gardier (Bel) R. Dewolf (Bel) A. Bolly (Bel) 1932 Marcel Hoyoux (Bel) Leopold Roosemont (Bel) G. Lambrechts (Bel) 1931 Alfons Schepers (Bel) M. Houyoux (Bel) J. Deschepper (Bel) 1930 Herman Buse (Ger) Georges Laloup (Bel) Francois Gardier (Bel) 1929 Alfons Schepers (Bel) 1928 Ernest Mottard (Bel) 1927 M. Raes (Bel) 1926 D. Smets (Bel) 1925 Georges Ronsse (Bel) 1924 René Vermandel (Bel) Adelin Benoit (Bel) Jules Matton (Bel) 1923 René Vermandel (Bel) Jean Rossius (Bel) Félix Sellier (Bel) 1922 Louis Mottiat (Bel) Albert Jordens (Bel) Laurent Seret (Bel) 1921 Louis Mottiat (Bel) Marcel Lacour (Bel) Jean Rossius (Bel) 1920 Léon Scieur (Bel) Lucien Buysse (Bel) Jacques Coomans (Bel) 1919 Léon Devos (Bel) Henri Hanlet (Bel) Arthur Claerhout (Bel) 1913 M. Moritz (Bel) 1912 Omer Verschoore (Bel) Jacques Coomans (Bel) André Blaise (Bel) 1911 Joseph Van Daele (Bel) 1909 Victor Fastre (Bel) 1908 A. Trousselier (Fra) 1894 Léon Houa (Bel) Rasquinet (Bel) Nullens (Bel) 1893 Léon Houa (Bel) 1892 Léon Houa (Bel) Distance and time Year First km km/h 2002 Paolo Bettini (Ita) 258 38.725 2001 Oscar Camenzind (Swi) 258 38.507 2000 Paolo Bettini (Ita) 264 40.769 1999 Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) 262 41.079 1998 Michele Bartoli (Ita) 262 40.077 1997 Michele Bartoli (Ita) 262 36.650 1996 Pascal Richard (Swi) 263 37.700 1995 Mauro Gianetti (Swi) 261 39.305 1994 Evgeni Berzin (Rus) 268 36.838 1993 Rolf Sörensen (Den) 261 36.072 1992 Dirk De Wolf (Bel) 262 35.882 1991 Moreno Argentin (Ita) 267 36.627 1990 Eric Van Lancker (Bel) 256 35.560 1989 Sean Kelly (Ire) 268 36.243 1988 Adrie Van der Poel (Ned) 260 38.801 1987 Moreno Argentin (Ita) 258 38.700 1986 Moreno Argentin (Ita) 253 37.673 1985 Moreno Argentin (Ita) 245 37.021 1984 Sean Kelly (Ire) 247 36.366 1983 Steven Rooks (Ned) 246 35.516 1982 Silvano Contini (Ita) 244 34.033 1981 Josef Fuchs (Swi) 244 35.362 1980 Bernard Hinault (Fra) 244 34.716 1979 Dietrich Thurau (Ger) 242 36.713 1978 Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 242 36.464 1977 Bernard Hinault (Fra) 243 37.654 1976 Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 247 37.396 1975 Eddy Merckx (Bel) 247 38.247 1974 Georges Pintens (Bel) 246 38.537 1973 Eddy Merckx (Bel) 236 37.869 1972 Eddy Merckx (Bel) 239 36.488 1971 Eddy Merckx (Bel) 251 36.115 1970 Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) 235 35.971 1969 Eddy Merckx (Bel) 253 37.024 1968 Valeer Van Sweevelt (Bel) 268 36.380 1967 Walter Godefroot (Bel) 256 35.971 1966 Jacques Anquetil (Fra) 253 36.164 1965 Carmine Preziosi (Ita) 253 36.051 1964 Willy Bocklandt (Bel) 245 34.615 1963 Frans Melckenbeeck (Bel) 237 37.179 1962 Jos Planckaert (Bel) 254 36.581 1961 Rik Van Looy (Bel) 251 37.224 1960 Abe Geldermans (Ned) 248 36.401 1959 Alfred De Bruyne (Bel) 240 35.511 1958 Alfred De Bruyne (Bel) 246 34.480 1957 Frans Schoubben (Bel) 255 34.386 1956 Alfred De Bruyne (Bel) 247 37.973 1955 Stan Ockers (Bel) 238 34.747 1954 Marcel Ernzer (Lux) 236 34.016 1953 Alois De Hertog (Bel) 236 34.215 1952 Ferdi Kubler (Swi) 229 35.400 1951 Ferdi Kubler (Swi) 211 37.124 1950 Prosper Depredomme (Bel) 263 35.427 1949 Camille Danguillaume (Fra) 256 36.775 1948 Maurice Mollin (Bel) 205 34.943 1947 Richard Depoorter (Bel) 218 36.286 1946 Prosper Depredomme (Bel) 205 33.974 1945 Jean Engels (Bel) 204 32.929 1943 Richard Depoorter (Bel) 211 37.679 1939 Albert Ritserveldt (Bel) 211 37.345 1938 Alfons Deloor (Bel) 211 37.051 1937 Eloi Meulenbergh (Bel) 211 36.188 1936 Albert Beckaert (Bel) 211 36.067 1935 Alfons Schepers (Bel) 240 36.219 1934 Theo Heckenrath (Bel) 213 34.171 1933 Francois Gardier (Bel) 213 34.975 1932 Marcel Hoyoux (Bel) 214 32.752 1931 Alfons Schepers (Bel) 213 28.435 1930 Herman Buse (Ger) 231 27.445 1929 Alfons Schepers (Bel) 1928 Ernest Mottard (Bel) 1927 M. Raes (Bel) 1926 D. Smets (Bel) 1925 Georges Ronsse (Bel) 1924 René Vermandel (Bel) 245 28.053 1923 René Vermandel (Bel) 218 29.376 1922 Louis Mottiat (Bel) 218 29.229 1921 Louis Mottiat (Bel) 209 28.306 1920 Léon Scieur (Bel) 245 28.710 1919 Léon Devos (Bel) 237 24.101 1913 M. Moritz (Bel) 1912 Omer Verschoore (Bel) 257 29.941 1911 Joseph Van Daele (Bel) 1909 Victor Fastre (Bel) 1908 A. Trousselier (Fra) 1894 Léon Houa (Bel) 223 25.150 1893 Léon Houa (Bel) 1892 Léon Houa (Bel)
