Liège-Bastogne-Liège traditionally marks the end of the Ardennes week. Also this year the Deanery be hotly contested.
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Philippe Gilbert (BMC)
The Belgian Philippe Gilbert (BMC) prevailed in the Amstel Gold Race a week ago, so to speak with an announcement. At the Fleché Wallonne on Wednesday, he held back. Tomorrow you should have him in the final though. In his super year 2011, he was also able to win the race once.
Dan MartinGarmin Sharp
The Irishman surprised everyone last year when he countered Joaquin Rodriguez in the final. The Giro winner Ryder Hesjedal had done the preparatory work. Also this year Martin arrives with a strong form and a good team. His second place on Wednesday at Fleché Wallonne can be taken as an indicator.
Joaquin RodriguezKatusha
The week in the Ardennes has so far been anything but satisfactory for the little Spaniard. All the more likely Purito therefore thinking about closing the sack this year on the Côte de Saint-Nicolas.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)
The Spaniard is the driver of the 2014 season so far. There's hardly a race that he doesn't contest competitively. On Wednesday he hesitated for a long time before winning the Fleché Wallonne with a solid start at the Muur de Huy. A win at LBL should be the icing on the cake for him. Last year he was third.
Frank Schleck (Trek)
After a forced break last year, the Luxembourger quickly returned to the peloton with solid results. His podium finishes in recent years show that he is the Ardennes classic.
In addition to the drivers mentioned, other strong climbers will also flex their muscles. Above all, it applies Chris Froome (Sky), Roman Crucifier (Tinkoff Saxo), Tom Jelte Slagter (Garmin Sharp), Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge).
Route
The drivers have to cover a total of 262.9 kilometers on Sunday in the south of Belgium and the Ardennes will again demand everything from the pros in the oldest classic on the racing calendar. The specialists have to master 10 climbs. At the latest on the Côte de La Redoute at kilometer 218.5, the race will enter the hot phase. By the last climb of the day, the Côte de Saint-Nicolas at kilometer 257.5, the measurements should have been read.
There is an overview of the route here. [Link]
climbs
1. Côte de La Roche-en-Ardenne / km 70.0 / 2.8 km / 6.2 percent
2. Côte de Saint-Roche / Kilometer 123.0 / 1 Kilometer / 11.1 percent
3. Côte de Wanne / km 167.0 / 2.8 km / 7.2 percent
4. Côte de Stockeu / kilometer 173.5 / 1 kilometer / 12.4 percent
5. Côte de la Haute-Levée / km 179.0 / 3.6 km / 5.6 percent
6. Côte de la Vecquée / Kilometer 201.0 / 3.1 Kilometer / 6.4 percent
7. Côte de La Redoute / Kilometer 218.5 / 2 Kilometers 8.9 percent
8. Côte des Forges / Kilometer 231.5 / Kilometer 1.9 / 5.9 percent
9. Côte de La Roche-aux-Faucons / km 243.5 / 1.5 km / 9.3 percent
10. Côte de Saint-Nicolas / km 257.5 / 1.2 km / 8.6 percent
Live Stream
From 13:00 p.m. on Sunday there will be links to the various live streams and www.cyclingfans.com [Link]