Editorial

The slope standpoint

The oldest of the Classics, Liège–Bastogne–Liège is the major event in the spring with a sequence of difficulties that can weaken the most determined ambitions at all times. It will be enhanced with a 255.5 kilometre-long route whose distinguishing feature will be to allow all the new developments, shortcomings and performances to be revealed.

Thanks to work carried out on the roads by the municipality of Stavelot, the route, on which the greatest names in the history of cycling have been very keen to succeed, will feature the Côte de la Haute Levée again, which was absent from last year’s race.

Thus the fearsome sequence of climbs will be recreated with the Côte de Wanne, Stockeu, Haute Levée and Rosier grouped together over a distance of less than 30 kilometres.

All the puncheurs (strong cyclists with explosive speed which they use on short, but steep gradients with sudden attacks) and fighters can do is wait for the Côte de La Redoute, the Côte de la Roche aux Faucons and the Côte de Saint-Nicolas, that will allow them to understand why this race continues to receive the praise of tens of thousands of spectators gathered together in the “right” places.

This weekend, which will begin in a similarly popular way at the Palace of the Prince Bishops, with the presentation of the teams on Saturday the 23^rd of April, will be an additional gift that the Province of Liège will offer to cycling and its supporters.

Christian PRUDHOMME