Italian Quintet
Five riders from a same country notching up the top-five places in a World Cup race, a feat not seen since 1987. Pundits will remember Eric Vanderaerden's victory in Paris-Roubaix, ahead of four Belgian compatriots. Today, after an uneventful race, Paolo Bettini won his second Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the span of three years. Garzelli, Basso, Celestino and Codol complete the Italian success. Though he abandonned in the later stages of the race, Belgian star Johan Museeuw retains the overall UCI World Cup lead.
Newsflashes
16:49 Bettini Strikes Again
Bettini and Garzelli fight out a sprint finish, with Bettini already a winner in Liège in 2000 getting the upper hand. Italian riders make it a full sweep, claiming the first five places: Bettini, Garzelli, Basso, Celestino and Codol.
16:35 Mapei looking good
Less than ten kilometers from the finish line, Mapei team-mates Bettini and Garzelli attack on the way up the Saint-Nicolas climb. The other breakaways fail to respond…
16:24 Forza Italia
Seven men have taken commande on the way up the Sart-Tilman climb: Bettini, Garzelli, Kessler, Basso, Codol, Celestino and Spezialetti. A stretched-out pack trails by a minute with Lance Armstrong loosing ground.
16:02 Heating Up
Bettini, Belli and Garzelli are first at the top of the Redoute climb. Behind them, the pack splits up, with notably Lance Armstrong on the attack.
15:50 Back To Square One
As they head towards the Redoute climb, thirteen riders (Baguet, Bettini, Garzelli, Codol, Garate, Verheyen, Kessler, Basso, Moreau, Menchov, Astarloa, Celestino and Spezialetti) pull away from the pack and finally put an end to Salanson’s remarkable 208-km plus breakaway. The pack trails less than a minute.
15:15 Salanson Holds On
While Russian Menchov and Austrian Buxhofer have taken up the chase behind the race leader, Marco Pantani has lost more than two minutes during the Stockeu climb. At the top of the Rosier climb, Salandon still leads the main pack by 5’50’’.
15:05 Museeuw Quits
Now fully on his own, Salanson retains a 7’-lead over the pack as he heads into the Rosier climb. Pre-race favorite and World Cup leader Johan Museeuw has pulled out.
14:51 Going Down Fighting
During the Wanneranval climb, Salanson once again outdistances Klöden. The Frenchman keeps up his efforts, but the pack keeps making up ground.
14:45 Eight Minutes
On the way up the Stockeu climb, Salanson for a while breaks free but decides to wait for his breakaway counterpart Klöden. A the top, their lead has dwindled to 8 minutes.
14:00 Slowly But Surely
At the top of the Wanne climb, Salanson and Klöden retain a 12’40’’ lead over the pack. 105 kilometers left.
12:51 Little Change
In Bastogne, Klöden and Salanson’s lead is down to 19’40’’, as the pack picks up the pace.
12:11 Still Two In The Lead
As Salanson and Klöden reach the top of the Saint-Roch climb, their lead over the pack fall to under 22 minutes.
11:59 Lazying In The Sun
While the leading duo (Klöden - Salanson) steadily increases its advantage over a lackluster pack (gap: 22 minutes at Km 75), the final showdown promises to be thrilling, with a lineup packed with bonafide stars, up-and-coming talents and dark horses, all craving to add their name to the long list of prestigious winners of one of cyling’s marquee events. The overwhelming favorite is no doubt Johan Museeuw, who will rely on the support of team-mate Axel Merckx. But fellow countrymen Mario Aerts, Serge Baguet, Rik Verbrugghe and Peter Van Petegem, all of the Lotto-Adecco team, may prove a force to be reckoned with. Mapei will also be in contention, with the likes of World Champion Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Stefano Garzelli and Daniele Nardello. Fierce opposition for US Postal’s American pretenders, not to mention several other team leaders, who, though not as well supported, will bitterly defend their chances: Alex Zülle, Nico Mattan, Michaël Boogerd, Alexandre Vinokourov, Dario
Frigo, David Etxebarria, Michele Bartoli, Francesco Casagrande, Christophe Moreau, Danilo Di Luca, Davide Rebellin, Laurent Brochard, Didier Rous and, why not, a last show of bravado from a famed buccaneer: Marco Pantani… All bets are open.
10:40 Business As Usual
197 riders took the start at 10am in sunny Saint-Lambert Square, alongside the majestic Palais des Princes-Evêques. After repeated attempts, Andreas Klöden and Fabrice Salanson manage to break away and build up a 1’05’’ lead.
10:24 The Lion And The Eagle
One week after the popular and sporting success of the 100th Paris-Roubaix, the Grand’Ma of Classics, fourth event in the World Cup calendar, celebrates this year its 88th running, with a star-studded cast including Johan Museeuw, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Alexandre Vinokourov and Mario Aerts, winner last Wednesday of the Flèche Wallonne. Lance Armstrong will no doubt do his best to help US Postal teammate George Hincapie to victory, after half-disappointments in Tour des Flandres, Gand-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix. Fans of the Flemish Lion, World Cup leader Johan Museeuw and all-time record holder with ten World Cup victories, may hope for a different outcome, but the American Eagle may land in Liège.
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