Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2015: Alejandro Valverde outperforms competition

The 101th edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege takes the riders in over 250 kilometres through the Ardennes. Alejandro Valverde wins the stage, showing off both strength and tactical prowess. Young Frenchman Alaphilippe is second, Rodríguez third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2015: Race report

1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
4. Rui Costa (por) s.t.
5. Roman Kreuziger (cze) s.t.
6. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
7. Sergio Henao (col) s.t.
8. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
9. Jakob Fuglsang (den) s.t.
10. Daniel Moreno (spa) s.t.

13. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.24

Race report
The early kilometres are marked by attacks – the very first by Valerio Conti -, but until 30 km’s the pack remains bunched. Then the break of the day takes shape. Aboard are Montaguti, Ulissi, Vergaerde, Chevrier, Minnaard, Turgis, Benedetti and Quaade. The eight race to a maximum gain of 8 minutes.

With Europcar leading the chase the leaders reach Bastogne and the Doyenne roundabout with a 4’45” gain. Heading back north the riders the gain is steadily dropping.

The race is re-arranged at the Côte de la Haute-Levée and a new front group formed with Kangert, Chaves, Arredondo, Scarponi and Boaro. At the next hill, Col du Rosier, Boaro and Arredondo are dropped.

Heading for La Redoute a big crash thwarts the ambitions of Simon Gerrans, Daniel Martin and Nairo Quintana. At the steep climb itself Kangert is dropped and approaching Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons Scarponi and Chaves are reeled in also. On the flanks Kreuziger attacks and he is accompanied by Caruso, while Fuglsang bridges the gap.

At the foot of Saint-Nicolas the trio is passé when Valverde attacks, but even more interasting – Kwiatkowki, Gilbert, Mollema and Nibali are dropped. The Sicilian manages to hook up with 2 km’s to go, but that’s merely a symbolic action.

Moreno takes off in the last kilometre and at first nobody reacts. Valverde waits until it’s almost too late and then he bridges the gap, taking a slect group with him. At 400 metres Moreno is brought back and Valverde still has the power to outsprint his competition.