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90th Liège-Bastogne-Liège - CDM
Belgium, April 25, 2004
2003 results Preview Start List Past winners
Climbers line up for La Doyenne
By Jeff Jones
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Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the oldest classic of all, will be held for the 90th time on Sunday, April 25, bringing an end to yet another interesting spring season. The 258 km out and back race through the Ardennes, in the French speaking part of Belgium, is considered am excellent opportunity for the climbers. It's expected that those who did well in the Amstel Gold Race and La Flèche Wallonne will be at the front in La Doyenne.
The race starts from Liège's Place Saint-Lambert and heads south in a fairly direct way (the first leg is only 98.5 km) to Bastogne, where the riders turn and come back via a longer (160 km) and hillier route to Ans, a fairly grimy suburb on the northern outskirts of Liège. Most of the ten climbs that characterise L-B-L are in the final 100 km, with the Côtes de Stockeu (km 170), Wanneranval (km 175), Rosier (km 194), la Redoute (km 223), Sart-Tilman - Tilff (km 244) and Saint-Nicolas (km 253) all contributing to the final selection. The final 1.5 km into Ans is also uphill, although certainly not as steep as the Cauberg or the Mur de Huy.
The defending champion in Liège-Bastogne-Liège is Tyler Hamilton, the slightly built but very powerful rider from Marblehead, Massachusetts. Tyler hasn't quite been in the same form as 2003, but he's close. "I felt like in Pais Vasco I was getting stronger as the race went on," he told Cyclingnews. "I was a hair off from last year, just a little bit below. A race like that is so hard that if you're a fraction off you're a little bit behind. For me it was good training. It would have been great to do better, but it was more for preparation for these races."
On the other hand, Hamilton is still very motivated to defend his title Liège and then the Tour de Romandie. "Yeah, why not? Even more for the Tour de Romandie. This year is probably more important, because being in a Swiss team it's a very important race for us."
Although the World Cup leader's jersey is on Steffen Wesemann's shoulders at the moment, the T-Mobile rider will have a very tough time keeping it on Sunday, even if he does finish in the top 20 as he hopes. Teammates Alexandre Vinokourov and Matthias Kessler are more likely to take on the T-Mobile captaincy on Sunday, and both are excellent prospects to win.
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If recent form is anything to go by, then Italian Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) will go into L-B-L as the top favourite. Winner of the Amstel Gold Race and La Flèche Wallonne, Rebellin excels in getting himself into the final selection, and he has very good sprinting form at the moment. His Gerolsteiner team will certainly be working for him on Sunday, and they could be rewarded with a new World Cup leader.
Danilo Di Luca (Saeco) has also shown good recent form, finishing fourth in Amstel and second in Flèche Wallonne. He too is climbing well, and it would only take a small drop in Rebellin's form for Di Luca to be able to pass his rival. Speaking of Italians, Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) is the third strong candidate for L-B-L. After a podium place last Sunday, Bettini chose to drop out of Flèche Wallonne to save his legs for Liege, and on paper he is slightly better at Rebellin at the finish. Bettini has won this race twice, and certainly knows where to be at the right moment.
Michele Bartoli (CSC) has had lacklustre form this spring, but as a winner of L-B-L in 1997 and 1998, Bartoli is a rider who can pull off a big ride at any time. CSC fans and management alike are hoping that Sunday will be it. Finally for the Italians, keep an eye on Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola, runner up in 2002) and Michele Scarponi (Domina Vacanze), who was fourth in Flèche Wallonne.
For the Belgians, who haven't had a win in Liège since 1999 when Frank Vandenbroucke beat Michael Boogerd and Maarten den Bakker, Vandenbroucke will once again be their favourite. The Fassa Bortolo rider is coming off a seventh placing in Flèche Wallonne, and is extremely motivated for L-B-L. Other Belgians to watch are Axel Merckx and Peter Van Petegem, the latter in very good form throughout the spring.
Rabobank will again line up with Michael Boogerd, Erik Dekker and Oscar Freire, all three very capable riders who could combine well in the finale. Boogerd will want to rid himself of any sprinters though, as the finish is less favourable to him than the Cauberg.
Finally, without Lance Armstrong or George Hincapie to ride for, US Postal-Berry Floor will look to Floyd Landis, Manuel Beltran and young talent Jurgen Van Den Broeck to do well in La Doyenne.
Live coverage
Cyclingnews will be covering the 90th Liège - Bastogne - Liège from start to finish. Coverage begins at 10:30 CEST/04:30 EDT, 01:30 PDT, 18:30 AEST).
Past winners
Year First Second Third 2003 Tyler Hamilton (USA) Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Michael Boogerd (Ned) 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)
