Valter in Amstel, Gidich at the Flèche Wallonne, who will win the last – and most important race of the Ardennaise triad? They both stayed in the region, and there sure are others stars: last year winner Herklotz, and some of the best puncheurs of the world in Lopez, Areruya or Vansevenant.
It should be an interesting race.
The break quickly satisfies everybody and after 7 km they have 1’40 on the peloton. The braves are Fratczak, Cherkasov, Stehli, Selimovic, Sprenger and Diaz Suarez.
Leading in the peloton already we have King Power, Los Pollos Hermanos, Fastned, Puma – SAP, Evonik – ELKO, Xero Racing and EA Vesuvio.
Enough teams to be sure the break will stay at its place. And indeed, after getting up to 9’30, they see the gap begin to dwindle far before the half race.
It’s even down to 4’30 with 100 km left. Te hard part begins now, with 11 climbs to tackle, including the somewhat easier finish – if one can say that after 250 km on the saddle.
Thins take some time to eat up, but with 37 km left, Lopez and Dvernes pulled free of the peloton. Behind, we don’t want to draw too fast conclusions for now, but Eastman already seems out of it.
Lopez left his teammate and caught the break – being quite caught in the traffic in the same time. The gap is quite small though, and Vansevenant is on the move.
Hearing this, Lopez accelerates. Vansevenant and Gidich are 16 seconds behind, then Romo tries to bridge across.
The other favorites are quite far back in the peloton.
As the four seem to be caught thanks to the work of Kämna, a trio from Xero and another from EA Vesuvio, there’s a counter from Bagioli, Adria and Formolo.
Herklotz and Areruya still seem far from the front. 23 km left.
Nobody gets a gap and Puma – SAP takes responsibility for setting the pace.
Vansevenant attacks again, at the beginning of a harder climb. That seems the right moment to me as Lopez and all his team are at the back of a peloton of 96. What the heck does he do there?
Herklotz and Areruya followed, so the move went nowhere; now it’s Romo and Higuita attacking at the peak. The Gazelle duo of Carboni and Aleotti is right behind, then it’s Kinoshita.
It feels like it’s a catastrophe for Evonik as Lopez is 1 minute behind the action. Not far from him are notably Aranburu and Kron.
Herklotz pushes! 15 km left.
Now it’s Aleotti again, in the descent, from a group of 22. Not here are Yates, Van Dijke or Aranburu. Lopez has joined the front group on his own, but what energy burn that must have been!
Another attack from Formolo! 13 km and two climbs left – Skujins is another name missing.
Formolo saved himself for the big day, he tries gain. Lopez is right behind now.
Aleotti, Mohoric and Trakhov countered, and the Italian has trouble keeping the wheels. Behind is the group of favorites. 6,5 km left.
A group of 8 find some space with 3,8 km left: Mohoric, Areruya, Trakhov, Vansevenant, Herklotz, Aleotti, Formolo and Higuita. Surely that’s the winning move!
It’s worth to note that 15 seconds behind, Rabobank still has Champoussin and Evenoepoel.
Everybody regroups and Bagioli storms out.
The chase can’t organize, so Herklotz and Areruya accelerate. We’re in the last, easier climb now.
Bagioli, Herklotz, Areruya and Mohoric are leading in the last 900 m. Does someone still has the legs to sprint?
300 m and Areruya has the lead. The Evonik rider in the image is Adria, Lopez has been dropped.
Despite a late charge from Herklotz, Areruya wins Liège – Bastogne – Liège!
Herklotz beats Bagioli, who made the deciding move, and Mohoric.
Gidich and Valter pass Kinoshita in the last meters.
Then it’s Vansevenant, Adria and Evenepoel to close the top 10.
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