Key moments

Vinokourov is back

As soon asit leaves Liège, the bunch rides fast and at kilometre 3 Veikkanen, PerezLezaun, Devenyns, Bouet, Terpstra, Finetto, De Gendt manage to break away.Their advantage quickly rises up to 8’05 at kilometre 30. Entering Samree (km57), Bellemakers catches the leading group. The eight riders reach the top ofLa Roche-en-Ardennes led by Perez Levaun, Finetto and Bellemakers with a 5’20margin on the pack.

In thebunch, the BMC team controls the pace and stabilizes the gap around 5’30entering Bastogne.At the top of the Côte de Saint-Roch, De Gendt comes first ahead of Bouet andDevenyns, whereas the chasers ride 5’20 adrift.

The raceincrease while approaching the Côte de Wanne (km 159,5). Under the impulse ofthe BMC team, the bunch gets closer and closer. At the top, De Gendt takes thelead ahead of Bellemakers and Veikkanen with a 3’10 advantage on Voigt. Thebunch itself remains 3’40 behind. At the top of Stockeu (km 166), Voigt movescloser 2’20 behind the break away led by Perez Lezaun, De Gendt and Bellemakerswhereas the pack is 2’50 behind.

At the footon the Col du Rosier (km 177,5), the race is diverted because of a fire.Therefore, the riders have to climb the Col du Rosier by its most narrow side. In the climb, Bouet and Veikkanenare dropped. Voigt eventually catches them. Veikkanen isthe only one able to follow the German rider. At the top, Bellemakers, De Gendtand Devenyns still lead the break away. Voigt and Veikkanen follow 50’’ behind,the bunch at 1’50. Right after Spa, the riders come again on the initialcourse.

Climbing theCol du Maquisard, Voigt and Veikkanen are cought by the pack. Then Monforttakes his chance and attacks. He is only 55’’ behind Bellemakers, De Gendt andDevenyns at the top whereas the bunch moves closer as well at 1’15. In theMont-Theux, Devenyns accelerates and burst the break away out. He passes firstat the top with a 17’’ gap on Bellemakers and 42’’ on Perez Lezaun whereas thebunch is less than 1’behind.

In the downhill,the bunch catches every rider except Devenyns who resist until the foot of theCôte de la Redoute. Inthe climb, Agnolli, Barredo Tendam, Machiareli, Martin attack, followed byGarzelli. At the Top Barredo maintains a tiny advantage on the chasers. But thebunch eventually catches him. Then Tankink takes his chance, followed byIvanov. In the climb of the Roche-aux-faucons, Andy accelerates violently.Gilbert jumps in his wheel whereas all the other favourites seem to be trapped.The two men catch Tankink when Contadordecides to attack. At the top, Schleck is first ahead of Gilbert and Contador.Right behind Evans, Anton, Nibali et Kolobnev join the three leaders as well asGesink, Zubeldia, Vinokourov, Le Mevel, Voeckler mong others.

Then manyriders attack in the first positions. Vinokourov takes his chances withKolobnev, followed by Gilbert, Evans and Valverde. In Saint-Nicolas, Gilbertcounter attacks again. But in he can’t fill the gap and is caught by Evans andValverde. In the lead, Vinokourov eventually makes the difference with 500 metres to go andclaims a second victory in Liège. Valverde comes third, Gilbert fourth.

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