The 108th edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège takes place this Sunday, April 24, with a loop of 254.7 kilometers and a very high plateau with in particular the presence of Tadej Pogacar, winner last year, and Julian Alaphilippe, who made of this classic one of his main objectives for the season. Here’s everything you need to know about the “Doyenne” of the classics.
The course
No surprises. The route of this 108th edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège will be practically identical to that of last year. The runners will leave from the Quai des Ardennes in Liège for a loop of 254.7 kilometers with ten climbs to cross, including the Saint-Roch coast, the Mont-le-Soie, Wanne, Stockeu and Haute-Levée sequence, the mythical Redoute or the Roche aux Faucons, located 13 kilometers from the finish and which could serve as a justice of the peace.
Favorites
Tadej Pogacar will be a candidate for his own succession. Winner last year, the double holder of the Tour de France, who finished in 12th place on the Flèche Wallonne, will aim for a 2nd coronation on the “Doyenne” of the classics. But he will have to face strong competition with Julian Alaphilippe, Wout van Aert, 2nd in Paris-Roubaix last week, or Matej Mohoric, winner of Milan-Sanremo, Remco Evenepoel, Bauke Mollema and the indestructible Alejandro Valverde, quadruple winner of the event.
The French to follow
Julian Alaphilippe’s hour? The tricolor world champion has made this Liège-Bastogne-Liège one of his main objectives this season. And he will start with a spirit of revenge after his 4th place on the Flèche Wallonne. But he will not be the only tricolor chance at the start. Benoit Cosnefroy will be a contender for victory, as will Warren Barguil, while Guillaume Martin and Romain Bardet could also have their say.
The last ten winners
2021: Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
2020: Primoz Roglic (Slovenia)
2019: Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
2018: Bob Jungels (Luxembourg)
2017: Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
2016: Wout Poels (Netherlands)
2015: Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
2014: Simon Gerrans (Australia)
2013: Dan Martin (Ireland)
2012: Maxim Iglinskiy (Kazkhstan)
What time and on what channel?
The race will be broadcast live from 1:30 p.m. on Eurosport 2. This 108th edition will also be broadcast live from 3:15 p.m. on France 3.