Narrative
Become a world champion on a Liège-Bastogne-Liège Course!
The UCI World Cycling Tour is a new series of competitions in which people who enjoy cycle touring can dream of the world champion jersey through qualifying competitions in three continents. If you end among the first 10% of your age category in one of these qualifying competitions, you can take part in the final to compete for the world title.
The details of this track are now known. The point of departure and arrival is the picturesque Stavelot in the 'Ardennes Bleue'. With the legendary climbs of the Côte de Stockeu and the Côte de la Haute Levée within reach, this is the ideal operating base for experienced cyclists.
During the weekend of 9 to 11 September, Stavelot is the mecca of cycling for passionate recreational cyclists. On Friday, the cyclists compete for the time-trialling world title. Just like on Sunday, they will be divided over nine age categories for men and for women. There is an under 30 category and then one for every five additional years. The oldest cyclists will battle for the title in the 65+ category.
The grand finale of the weekend will follow with the road race on Sunday. The organisers opted for a combination of a relatively smooth run-up with a demanding final across the monuments of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. After the start, the first main roads are taken towards Trois-Ponts, Vielsalm and Lierneux in order to get to the foot of the first climb of the day after approximately 42 km, the Côte de Haute Bodeux. It is a long strip of 3.3 km with an average climbing percentage of just under 5%.
After this climb, the route continues via the descent of the Côte de Brume towards Trois-Ponts. From then on, the actual final begins and there are few smooth surfaces. The Côte d’Aisomont is the side of the well-known Côte de Wanne of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The 4.5 km climb has an average of 5% and is a good warm-up for what is ahead. Via Wanne, we take the easy slope towards Stavelot where we finish our first loop of 68 km.
There is not much time to greet supporters. The legendary Côte de la Haute Levée awaits like a hungry lion to tear apart the entire pack. There is a steep ascent from the first meters on this Haute Levée. The beast has a grip on you and does not want to let go. The first kilometres remain almost constantly around the 10% climb to then gradually weaken after 3.6 km.
There is almost no time to recuperate as -after a brief descent- it is time for another classic, the Côte de Rosier. Yet another beast that wants to go for our throat. It is a steep climb from the first metres in a forest towards Andrimont where the angle of inclination is again reduced. Just before the actual top we turn left after a 4 km climb to the highest point of the competition. After 81 km, the height measurer indicates 545 metres. We get a well-deserved break in the form of a long 6 km descent towards La Gleize.
Those who wish to play a tactical game should take this opportunity now. The road between La Gleize and Trois-Ponts is relatively smooth and offers opportunities for freebooters to slip away. Saving yourself for what is to come is another option, as there is still a spectacular final to follow.
This starts when we head towards Spineux after Trois-Ponts. This is the classic climb of the Côte de Wanne as climbed by professionals such as in la Doyenne. We have now come to the final 10 kilometres of the competition and those with any energy left, should now play their trump card. The climb of the Côte de Wanne (on average 7.6%) is just over 2 kilometres with some halfway sections of 12%.
This is followed by an extremely dangerous drop in the village of Wanne with two hairpin curves towards Stavelot. The sting is in the tail as the hardest climb of the day is in the final section. After an extremely fast descent, it is best to switch to the lowest gear, as what follows seems like a wall. The foot of the legendary Côte de Stockeu lies just 2.8 km from the finish, making it the absolute executioner. Until the top of the Eddy Merckx monument, there is a kilometre with percentages that never go below 11%. Halfway, there is a section where you even have to accelerate in order not to fall over. After a quick glance of the top on the best cyclist of all times, there is a one-kilometre descent to get to the old part of Stavelot via a small bridge, and after 110 km you can hopefully put your arms in the air as the new world champion!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment