The race that brings an end to the Ardennes classics. Liège–Bastogne–Liège, ‘La Doyenne’ is the oldest monument at 130 years old.
Phillipe Gilbert will be riding his last monument.in a race that usually starts in Liège to Bastogne and then heads back to Liège of course. The ladies race consists of the return journey only. The second half of the course contains numerous climbs, such as the Stockeu, Haute-Levée, La Redoute, and the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, before finishing in Liège With 30 km remaining, La Redoute used to be the climb to make or break the race, but tactics have changed dramatically over the past few decades. The Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons is where the main action now happens with gradient of up to 11 percent at less than 15 km from the finish. The remaining 10km is a long fast finish that ends in Liège.
The weather will mostly be sunny throughout the day with a temperature reaching a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius. A headwind of 40km/h is expected and the chance of precipitation is minimal but exists.
Women’s race
141.97 km separates Bastogne and Liège. A fast race should be expected and the past podiums shows that the race can suit any type of riders that can climb decently.
| 2017 | Anna van der Breggen | Lizzie Deignan | Katarzyna Niewiadoma |
| 2018 | Anna van der Breggen | Amanda Spratt | Annemiek van Vleuten |
| 2019 | Annemiek van Vleuten | Floortje Mackaij | Demi Vollering |
| 2020 | Lizzie Deignan | Grace Brown | Ellen van Dijk |
| 2021 | Demi Vollering | Annemiek van Vleuten | Elisa Longo Borghini |
LULU VIEWS
- ?Annemiek Van Vleuten has all the qualities required for winning but she will prefer to go before a finish sprint.
- ?Demi Vollering shows in Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne that she is ready for battle.
- ?Elisa Longo Borghini won Paris-Roubaix a week ago. The shape and form should be here.
? My “Dark Horse” will be Grace Brown, as her form seems improving in the season.
CC2004 VIEWS
- ?Demi Vollering won Brabantse Piji, 2nd at Amstel, 3rd at Flèche Wallonne. She should be in excellent form and can win in a solo or reduced sprint. She is the defending champion.
- ?Elisa Longo Borghini won Paris-Roubaix with a excellent solo attack and can climb really well. She was 2nd last year.
- ?Annemiek Van Vleuten was 2nd in Ronde Van Vladeren and Flèche Wallonne, 4th at Amstel Gold Race. The form is good for her too.
? Marta Cavalli surprised everyone with a late attack winning Amstel Gold Race and also won Flèche Wallonne against Annemiek Van Vleuten and 5th in Paris-Roubaix.
MUFCFAAN VIEWS
- ?Demi Vollering packs the best spring among the big girls and she should be winning if it comes down to it.
- ?Katarzyna Niewiadoma’s performance at Flèche Wallonne was weaker to what we were used to see from her. This Sunday, she will need to do better if she finally wants to take a win.
- ?Elisa Longo Borghini is not the quickest rider. Her form has improved drastically and she is a very good descender.
? Lianne Lippert has had a rilliant Ardennes season and could cap it in the best of ways.
Men’s race
With 257.4km, the race is considered a medium mountain stage per se. however 4526 of positive elevation is not to everybody’s ability. Tadej Pogacar will be absent due to family issues and he will be missed.
| 2017 | Alejandro Valverde | Dan Martin | Michał Kwiatkowski |
| 2018 | Bob Jungels | Michael Woods | Romain Bardet |
| 2019 | Jakob Fuglsang | Davide Formolo | Maximilian Schachmann |
| 2020 | Primož Roglič | Marc Hirschi | Tadej Pogačar |
| 2021 | Tadej Pogačar | Julian Alaphilippe | David Gaudu |
A race that does not seem to fit any specific type of rider. Interestingly, Julian Alaphilippe has never won the race after coming out second last year and raised his arm way too early in a very controversial sprint in 2020.
LULU VIEWS
- ?Alejandro Valverde has show his good shape in Flèche Wallonne, and it will be a good birthday present for himself.
- ?Wout van Aert, was strong at Paris-Roubaix, after just recovering from COVID, his first participation in “La Doyenne”.
- ?Julian Alaphilippe knows the podium and will be happy to be on it one more time.
? Matej Mohoric can really beat anyone on a good. 10km descent? Step ahead dropper post.
CC2004 VIEWS
- ?Wout Van Aert is the favourite after an excellent Paris-Roubaix performance He can win solo or in a reduced sprint
- ?Daniel Martinez was 5th in Flèche Wallonne and is in great form after winning Itzulia and can sprint in a reduced bunch.
- ?Aleksandr Vlasov was an impressive 3rd at Flèche Wallonne and likes the punchy climbs.
? Warren Barguil won GP Indurain, was 3rd at Brabantse Piji, 9th at Flèche Wallonne. The form is good. He should be a top 10 finish and can sprint.
MUFCFAAN VIEWS
- ?Wout Van Aert looked unbeatable at start of the classics season, with Team Jumbo Visma looked set for a great period. Unfortunately, things have not gone to plan. Wout Van Aert has displayed how strong he is at Paris-Roubaix. He should be able to handle the lengthy but not so steep climb and to settle the sprint.
- ?Julian Alaphilippe will be super motivated to win this monument and put behind him the nightmares of last year sprint loss to Tadej Pogacar and the controversial early celebration in 2020 and the disqualification for line changing.
- ?Aleksandr Vlasov has been very impressive recently, he will surely get over the last climb with the favourite and can pack a more than decent sprint.
? Remco Evenepoel will enjoy himself in this race with only a handful of gradient going over 10%. He can attack from absolutely anywhere and will definitely animate the race.
