Cycling: Liège-Bastogne-Liège starts on Sunday for the 102nd time in history. The oldest and perhaps the most difficult classic of the season, La Doyenne comes with a juicy route change and potentially complicated weather conditions this year. We have all the info in the preview.
Oldest classic, toughest race of spring, monument of cycling, highlight of the season: Liège-Bastogne-Liège is not stingy with superlatives and it is not for nothing that cycling fans and cyclists alike are looking forward to the last Ardennes classic next Sunday. But this year, two things give 'La Doyenne' (en: The Old Lady) an extra twist: On the one hand, a small but potentially crucial change in the course makes the finale even more difficult and complicated than it already is. On the other hand, the weathermen unanimously predict difficult conditions: Wind, cold, rain and even snow await the participants.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2016: the route
Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the last of the Ardennes classics, is in line with the Flèche Wallonne and the Amstel Gold Race, but differs considerably in terms of route and orientation. While the Walloon Arrow and especially the Amstel Gold Race, with their many short, steep climbs, prefer classic puncheurs, Liège-Bastogne-Liège often involves classic climbers as well. The climbs are usually longer, tougher and over a length of over 250km the race becomes a tough touchstone for every driver in the field without exception.
Almost symbolically for the race, the Côte de la Redoute is about 40km before the finish: On the nearly two-kilometer-long climb with an average gradient of 8,4% and sometimes over 20%, the thrilling finale is usually heralded and the favorites for victory become here forced to come out of cover. New this year is the Côte de la Rue Naniot just 3km before the tough mountain finish in Ans. Although the Lü-Ba-Lü newcomer is only 600m long, it 'shines' with an irregularly paved road surface and an average gradient of over 10% - this could lead to potentially decisive attacks.
All ten climbs from Liège-Bastogne-Liège at a glance
| Position | Name | Length | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78,5km | Cote de la Roche-en-Ardenne | 2.800m | 6,2% |
| 125km | Cote de Saint Roch | 1.000m | 11,2% |
| 168,5km | Cote de Wanne | 2.800m | 7,4% |
| 179km | Cote de la Haute Levee | 3.600m | 5,6% |
| 192km | Col du Rosier | 4.400m | 5,9% |
| 204,5km | Cote de Maquisard | 2.500m | 5% |
| 216,5km | Cote de La Redoute | 2.000m | 8,9% |
| 232,5km | Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons | 1.300m | 11% |
| 246,5km | Cote de Saint Nicolas | 1.200m | 8,6% |
| 250km | Côte de la Rue Naniot | 600m | 10,5% |
The special thing about La Doyenne is its unpredictability - in this respect the final of Liège-Bastogne-Liège is almost an alternative to the Walloon Arrow: while in the latter nine times out of ten the decision is made at the Mur de Huy (as it was this year ), the final 30km at Liège-Bastogne-Liège offer significantly more tactical options. The favorites and their helpers usually get the decisive pinpricks on the Côte de Saint-Nicolas - but the following 7km to the finish also offer many more opportunities for drivers who may have been left behind to fight back. In any case, tension is guaranteed.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2016: The weather
This year's classic season has so far shown its mild side: The professionals enjoyed good conditions in almost all races - but in all likelihood this will change on Sunday. A broad cold front will hit Central Europe on Saturday, bringing not only a significant drop in temperature, rain and sleet, but also unpleasant winds from the south. However, the latter might even come to meet the drivers and accompany them as a tailwind on the difficult way back to Liège.
While the pros will probably be spared snow, temperatures below 10°C and constant rain should still make it extremely uncomfortable and make the short paved sections quite a slippery slope.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2016: the favourites
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)
Last year's winner is again the top favorite this year. Alejandro Valverde is perfect for this race: a tough climber with a high top speed and a good punch. It is no coincidence that he has already triumphed here three times, including last year. His commanding victory in the Walloon Arrow on Wednesday underlined his excellent form and his ambitions for Sunday. The Spaniard will be the rider to beat for the rest.
Daniel Martin (Etixx – Quick Step)
On Wednesday at Flèche Wallonne, Dan Martin, together with his teammate Julian Alaphilippe, almost managed to bring the overwhelming Alejandro Valverde to his knees on the Mur - but only almost. In the end, the Etixx duo only managed second and third place. Nevertheless - the performance was highly convincing and the tough finale of La Doyenne could suit the Irish-French duo. If they play their cards right, at least one of the two could end up on top of the podium.
Joaquim RodriguezKatusha
Valverde's compatriot Joaquim Rodriguez could become one of his closest rivals again on Sunday. A victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège is still missing in the palmares of the successful Katusha pro. As a strong climbing specialist, the Spaniard is undoubtedly one of the favorites - at least on paper. Last Wednesday, the 36-year-old was a good deal behind the top riders on the Mur. But Lü-Ba-Lü is a different race and Rodriguez tasted blood with his third place finish last year.
Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEDGE)
Simon Gerrans, the 2014 winner, skipped the Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday in order, according to his own statement, to prepare perfectly for Sunday. The goal of the charismatic Australian is clear: the second triumph at Liège-Bastogne-Liège must come. After a splendid start to the season with his victory at the Tour Down Under, the 35-year-old has recently faltered a bit. But while there are no victories to his name, promising performances in Catalonia and the Tour of the Basque Country indicate the Orica pro's great potential. It just has to burst the knot - maybe on Sunday?
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2016: TV and Livestream
Eurosport reports live from Belgium for two hours. The broadcast starts on Sunday at 15:00 p.m. and gives you the opportunity to follow the decisive phase of the race live on the screen.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège live broadcast
Date: 24.04.2016
Time: 15:00 p.m. – 17:00 p.m
Broadcaster: Eurosport 1
Those who prefer to follow the race via the Internet can either click on the Eurosportplayer fall back on, or from the free offer Zattoo Make use of which Eurosport is also part of the offer. Cycling fans who access the internet from outside of Germany can look forward to www.cyclingfans.com look around where a corresponding live stream is listed for almost every major country.