Key moments

Like in 2006, Alejandro Valverde proved he was the strongest of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Rather disappointing after finishing only 20th of the Fleche Wallonne, the Spaniard hit back in style under the bright sunshine on the Belgian Ardennes. Valverde was part of the decisive move in the penultimate climb up the Côte de la Roche aux Faucons, before making his effort with just 200m to go, outsprinting Rebellin and Franck Schleck to the finish line. The day’s race started with a group of five riders breaking away after just under 30 kilometres. A vain effort as last man standing, Pierre Rolland was eventually caught before the final battle with 30 kilometres to go.

Five riders in the lead
A bright sunshine welcomed the 200 riders for the last of the three Ardennes classics in the centre of Liège. Perfect conditions for riders keen to attack early. After only a few hundred metres of racing several attempts occur. Two men manage to break away, Delfosse (LAN) Kopp (COS) enjoying a maximum 40’’ before seeing the pack catch up. A few kilometres later, the attack of a trio including Zaugg (GST), Loubet (ALM) and Brutt (TSV) proves to be just as vain. Eventually between kilometres 24 and 28, the first real breakaway attempt shapes up in three parts. Five men finally gather together at the front of the race: Markus Fothen (GST), Tom Stubbe (FDJ), Pierre Rolland (C.A), Pavel Brutt (TCS) and David Kopp (COS). The leading quintet enjoyed a maximum 11’30 lead at the top of the first climb of the day, the Côte de Ny (km 57.5).

Leaders under control
Under the impulse of the favourites’ teams, the gap started dropping down from then on. At the top of the Côte de la Roche-en-Ardenne, the leaders’ advantage had dropped down to 9’. At a fairly slow pace, 37.5 km/h during the first three hours of racing, the front men reached the halfway mark just after the Côte de Saint Roch with a 7’10 advantage. A pace that however proved to be too fast for Tom Stubbe who was the first to drop out of the leading group at kilometre 140, rapidly caught by the chasing pack.

Rolland carries on alone
The next man to suffer was to be David Kopp who started struggling in the Côte de la Haute-Levée before loosing ground in the climb up the Côte du Rosier. Meanwhile two riders took off on a counter-attack, Kjell Carsltrom (LIQ) and local hero Philippe Gilbert (FDJ). Going through his hometown, the Belgian eventually continued his effort on his own but was finally caught in the climb up the Côte de la Redoute where the real battle began to start. In the lead Pierre Rolland decided to attack, taking off on his own.

A. Schleck and Schumacher in command
A fine but unfortunately pointless effort from the Frenchman as the pack moved closer and Andy Schleck and Stefan Schumacher managed to breakaway on a counter-attack. Both men caught and dropped Rolland in the climb up the Côte de Sprimont. As the pack seriously started shrinking, a first fierce selection was made in the new hill on the course, the Côte de la Roche aux Faucons. While Stefan Schumacher failed to follow his breakaway companion, Andy Schleck was caught by a group of four men, his brother Franck (CSC), Alejandro Valverde, Joaquim Rodriguez (both GCE) and Davide Rebellin (GST). The right move at the right time while Cunego (LAM) and Evans (SIL) failed to react when it really mattered.

Decision time
Rodriguez lost ground on the front group before a final attempt from Andy Schleck who took off with 10 kilometres to go. The youngest of the Schleck brothers was finally caught and dropped in the climb up the Côte de Saint Nicolas (5 kms to go). Victory was therefore to be decided between two former winners, Valverde and Rebellin and last year’s third man on the podium, Franck Schleck. Neither tried anything until the final moments. Counting on his sprinting abilities, Valverde attacked with 200m to go and flew off to victory, beating Rebellin and Schleck to the line. The Spaniard wins the race for the second time after 2006.

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"It means a lot for me to win this race. Finishing second last year left a bad taste in my mouth. This year I knew I could win again. For me and for the team it means a lot to win. It gives us a lot more confidence for the remaining part of the season and of course for the Tour de France that remains my main goal.
The new hill (Côte de la Roche aux Faucons) changed the race completely. That’s where the race was really decided. Anyhow, it makes the race a lot more exciting.
I have to thank my team mate Joaquim Rodriguez who was once again precious. The whole team did a great work."

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