LIÈGE-BASTOGNE-LIÈGE TO CLOSE THE ARDENNES TRIFECTA

After last Sunday’s shake-up on the rolling and meandering roads around Valkenburg at Amstel Gold Race, and with the formidable Mur de Huy ignited once more on Wednesday, we now arrive at the third and final chapter of the revered Ardennes triple header.

Hunting for that final coveted victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto squad features fourth-place finisher from La Flèche Wallonne, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, alongside Antonia Niedermaier, Soraya Paladin, Alice Towers, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, and, new to the roster for Liège, Chloé Dygert.

Each of the Ardennes Classics is rich with its own character and legacy, but the monument status of Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the men’s calendar speaks volumes about its weight and prestige.

First raced by the men in 1892, making it the oldest men’s monument, the women’s edition only began in 2017 — so some might argue it hasn’t yet reached monumental status for our side of the sport. Ask three different fans or riders which Ardennes Classic they favour and you might get three different answers, but one thing is still for certain – a win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes is among the most hard-earned and well-deserved accolades in the sport.

What gives Liège-Bastogne-Liège its own distinct flair is that unlike the two Ardennes races before it, there are no finishing circuits. Instead, the route is plotted to give riders, both men and women, an honest and unrelenting experience through the thick of the Ardennes. It’s a course that takes in every lump and climb that stand in the way between Bastogne and Liège, navigating narrow, technical roads through charming towns and raw, unspoilt landscapes.

This year’s course mirrors 2024, and features the most elevation gain of the three Ardennes classics – nearly 3000 metres packed into 153 kilometres. That length is becoming more common, but that doesn’t mean that it’s also getting easier. The peloton will once again take on the draining ascents of Côte de Wanne (3.5km at 5%), Côte de Stockeu (1km at 12.8%), and Col du Rosier (4.3km at 5.8%), before the decisive differences are made on the final trio of iconic climbs: the punchy Côte de la Redoute (1.5km at 9.3%), the leg-sapping Côte des Forges, and the final knock-out of Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons (1.2km at 10.7%).

In 2024, a powerful break packed with contenders formed within the first 60 kilometres and held its advantage all the way to the final climbs. Only a select few, including Kasia, managed to bridge across and contest the finish – with the win ultimately going to Grace Brown (FST), one of the day’s original escapees.

Even at kilometre 15, the things could be shaken up early on the Côte de Saint-Roch. Its biting 1km ascent at an average gradient of 10.5% is sure to snap the legs awake, and could trigger the peloton into more early action.

When asked about her expectations for Liège-Bastogne-Liège this year, 2024’s fifth-place finisher Kasia is anticipating a race that follows a familiar script to previous editions. After all, it’s one of those events where raw power and endurance are essential – there are no shortcuts to Liège.

“I feel like in the last five editions, except the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift stage, a breakaway always seems to form in the same spot – it’s the place to go. It’s when we hit the first longer climb of Côte de Wanne, then there’s a downhill and undulating terrain for maybe 2kms. Usually, it’s a pretty large group, and many can make it past la Redoute from there.”

“Very often this race is really hard throughout, and the big names tend to wait for the last climb. I think that it’s better for us if the race opens up earlier, and not again the effort of just one climb. It’s also the last classic and a lot of people who didn’t get the result that they wanted this spring will be going for this last opportunity.”

HOW TO FOLLOW

Liège-Bastogne-Liège | 1.WWT | Sunday April 27 | 152.8km | 2832m elevation | Start 13:35 CET – fastest finish 17:40.

Live coverage from 16:55 CET on Sporza, Eurosport/ Discovery Plus, TNT Sports, FloBikes (Canada) and SBS Sports (Australia). Stay updated on X with #LBL and #LBLWomen, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s social channels for team updates.