2014 Liege-Bastogne-Liege: Preview and live blog

By Tomas Fish / Roar Guru

The 2014 Ardennes Classics are coming to a close, with Liege-Bastogne-Liege the final chance for teams to get something out of their week in the Benelux.

Follow right here on The Roar for live updates and commentary from 10:30pm AEST.

This year’s race is one of the most open in years, with Philippe Gilbert and Alejandro Valverde having already taken wins this week ahead of some brilliant other contenders. Gilbert has missed his chance to take a historic second Ardennes triple crown, and will be looking to have the last laugh in Liege over his Spanish opponent.

Valverde is on a roll this season, having already bagged eight wins, including Fleche Wallonne, and has to now be considered a major favourite for Sunday’s race.

Of course, these two men aren’t the only contenders, and Valverde stated that any out of around 10 to 15 men can win on Sunday.

Last year’s La Doyenne champion, Dan Martin, finished second to Valverde on Wednesday, showing his form is coming just in time. Young Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski has looked dangerous all year, and his first big win has to be just around the corner.

If Liege-Bastogne-Liege is anything like this year’s Paris-Roubaix however, it could be a dark horse that comes clear to take their own piece of cycling glory.

Make sure you join us on The Roar on Sunday night, as we cover La Doyenne from 10:30pm AEST.

The Crowd Says:

2014-04-27T14:59:33+00:00

Aljay

Guest


It's well worth waiting up til 1am when your guy wins!!!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:59:27+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Thankyou for joining me for The Roar's coverage of the 2014 Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Make sure you keep visiting the site for all the analysis on the week in the Ardennes.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:58:40+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


All the action came in the last couple of kilometres, the top three are: Simon Gerrans (AUS) - Orica-GreenEDGE Alejandro Valverde (ESP) - Movistar Team Michal Kwiatkowski (POL) - Omega Pharma-Quickstep.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:55:31+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


That was an incredibly close finish. Dan Martin fell on the final corner just as it looked like he was going to replicate his win of 2013.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:54:47+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Simon Gerrans wins the final sprint ahead of Alejandro Valverde!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:54:19+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Martin is down!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:53:32+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Roman Kreuziger is the man chasing Martin!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:53:11+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Dan Martin has gone off the front! He's chasing the two leaders!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:52:50+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


They are under the Flamme Rouge as more attacks come.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:52:26+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Uphill all the way now, it's going to be close, the lead duo's lead is dropping.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:51:34+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Under two kilometres to go for Caruso and Pozzovivo, they have nine seconds.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:50:31+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Vincenzo Nibali is pushing on the front of the peloton, as Lars Petter Nordhaug of Belkin has another go.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:48:41+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Jelle Vanendert (Lotto-Belisol) trying to bridge the now twelve second gap!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:48:10+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Cyril Gautier (Europcar) and Nordhaug (Belkin) trying their hand, the duo upfront are getting a bigger gap!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:47:20+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Alejandro Valverde tried his hand but was chased down by Philippe Gilbert.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:46:17+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Domenico Pozzovivo has followed but the peloton isn't very far behind.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:45:31+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Attack by Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha)!

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:43:58+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Not Matthias Frank - Stefan Denifl apparently.

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:43:26+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Simon Gerrans has been brought to the front at the bottom of the final climb as more attacks come from the peloton - this time Matthias Frank (IAM).

AUTHOR

2014-04-27T14:41:25+00:00

Tomas Fish

Roar Guru


Frank Schleck is riding near the back of the peloton.

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