World Champion Julian Alaphilippe will be in action at the 107th edition of “La Doyenne”.
At 259.5 kilometers, Liège–Bastogne–Liège is one of the longest one-day races of the season. The eleven climbs punctuating it, nine of which are stacked in the final 100 kilometers, make it also one of the hardest classics out there. The steep gradients that the riders will be facing this Sunday are expected to contribute again to an attritional day in the saddle and seriously whittle down the peloton before the final difficulty of the race, Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons (1.3km, 11%), coming in the final 15 kilometers of the race.
Victorious at Flèche Wallonne for the third time in his career just two days ago, when he produced a blistering performance on the Mur de Huy, Julian Alaphilippe will bring down the curtain over his spring campaign at “La Doyenne”, the race where six years ago he caught everyone’s attention with an impressive runner-up place.
Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s team for the third Monument of the season will also include João Almeida – a winner of the U23 Liège–Bastogne–Liège three years ago – Dries Devenyns, Mikkel Honoré, James Knox, Pieter Serry and Mauri Vansevenant.
“We have a strong team to support Julian, a team comprising young riders but also guys who bring a lot of experience. Liège–Bastogne–Liège is the kind of race where you have to save as much energy as possible in the first part, make sure you’re always in the right position and don’t miss the important moves, which will start coming from La Redoute onwards. We did a great job in Flèche Wallonne and we hope to be again in the mix also on Sunday and get another good result to conclude the Spring Classics”, explained Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Klaas Lodewyck.
Photo credit: ©Bernard Papon / Getty Images
