All classifications
| 1 | Danilo DI LUCA |
| 2 | Alejandro VALVERDE |
| 3 | Frank SCHLECK |
| 4 | Paolo BETTINI |
| 5 | Davide REBELLIN |
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The race
Sunday 29 April 2007| Liège > Ans - 262 km |
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The Ardennes dream continues for Di Luca
For the first time of his career, Danilo Di Luca claimed victory in the 93rd edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The Italian who had claimed the Amstel Gold Race and Fleche Wallonne double back in 2005, wins the third big Ardennes Classic. The race was decided in the final climb of the day, the Côte de Saint Nicolas after four men (Etxebarria, Di Gregorio, Kiriyenka and Kuyckx) had spent most of the day in the lead. Franck Schleck was the first to take off immediately caught by Di Luca. The Liquigas rider attacked again with under one kilometre to go and crossed the finish line on his own in triumphant fashion. Second spot eventually went to last year’s winner Alejandro Valverde ahead of Schleck.
The film of the stage
Four in the lead
Like a few days ago but further west for the Fleche Wallonne, the 191 Liège-Bastogne-Liège riders took off under a bright sunshine and rather warm weather conditions for a demanding 262km ride. The first riders to break away were Christophe Moreau (A2R) and Niki Terpstra (MRM) at kilometre 3 but their efforts proved to be vain a few kilometres later. At kilometre 7 Vasil Kiriyenka (TIN) tried his luck and was soon caught by Jan Kuyckx (LAN) and then Remy Di Gregorio (FDJ) and Unai Etxebarria (EUS) at km 11. Well aware that the race would be long and extremely tough due to the hot conditions, the pack wasn’t too concerned by the early breakaway group. Indeed the gap grew from 45” at km 17 to 4’20 at km 25 and then a huge 15’50, at kilometre 44. Heading closer to Bastogne, the front men’s advantage reached a maximum 18’30 at kilometre 77 before dropping.
Pack eventually reacts
As the leading riders covered one of the toughest parts of the race with the three climbs up the Côte de Wanne, Stockeu and Haute-Levée, Jan Kuyckx was the first to struggle and failed to follow his companions. At the top of the Côte de la Haute-Levée (km 185), the pack had seriously moved closer led by the Quick Step and Gerolsteiner riders, and remained 11’ adrift. In the climb up the Côte de la Redoute, Kiriyenka was dropped behind leaving two men in the lead. Meanwhile behind, Carlos Barredo (QST) was the first to attack, rapidly followed and caught by Nibali (LIQ), Schumacher (GST), Vasseur (QST) and Kroon in the climb up the Côte de Sprimont.
Schumacher gives it a go
At kilometre 237 and after having enjoyed a breakaway of close to 230km, the leading two riders were caught by their five followers. In the penultimate climb of the day, the Côte de Sart-Tilman, Schumacher and Vasseur managed to take off. A few kilometres later, the Gerolsteiner rider and winner of the Amstel Gold Race a week ago continued on his own while all the other riders were eventually caught by the pack. The German carried on his effort and enjoyed a 20” lead with 8km to go and one final hill to climb, the Côte de Saint Nicolas.
Di Luca the smartest
The hunting pack of favourites eventually caught Schumacher and the battle really started between the top riders. Bettini (QST) was the first to give it a go in the Saint Nicolas climb, in vain! It was finally Franck Schleck (CSC), despite a broken rib after a fall during the Amstel Gold Race who managed to break away. The CSC rider was rapidly caught by Danilo Di Luca and both men enjoyed a 10” lead with under 3km to go. In the final kilometre Di Luca’s last attack was decisive. The Italian eventually crossed the finish line with a 30 metre lead over Alejandro Valverde who had caught up and overtaken Schleck, third.
The winner interview
Danilo Di Luca (ITA - Liquigas):
"The best race in the World"
How long have you waited for this moment?I’ve been a professional rider for nine years and the first time I took part in this race, I understood that it was the toughest and most beautiful race in the World. It’s the race that I’ve always wanted to win and I do it today and that really satisfies me. It’s the biggest joy of my career because this race is so fascinating. I’ve actually won several races but it’s the first time that I am that moved.
How did you build your success?
The key was to find the good moment to attack. I had to wait before taking the good decision. I basically had the same strategy than on the Fleche Wallonne but it hadn’t worked out as well. Here, when I found myself with Franck Schleck and we started feeling that Valverde could come back, we immediately decided to insist. There was no hesitation possible. Thankfully my legs were still there in the final part because Schleck really looked strong. I still managed to be faster.
What does this victory mean for you?
It’s a beautiful victory. Exactly twenty-three years ago, I competed in my very first race and won it. It was in Italy in Picano. Today I win what I consider being the most beautiful race in the world. It’s a fantastic day for me.
The newsflashes
Top Five
2- Alejandro Valverde (GCE)
3- Franck Schleck (CSC)
4- Paolo Bettini (QST)
5- Davide Rebellin (GST)