The Ardennes week closed out with a new-look Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which was won in commanding style by Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) amid terrible conditions. Fuglsang attacked on the late Roche-aux-Faucons climb, eventually dropping all of his rivals before soloing into the centre of Liège to claim victory 10 years on from his debut at the race.
As the season charges on and the focus now turns to the Giro d’Italia, that starts in just under two weeks, we take stock and review the notable storylines to emerge from the final Classic of the spring.
Fuglsang’s consistency rewarded with Doyenne win
It was notable how Jakob Fuglsang’s victory received widespread applause on Sunday evening, and not just from his own team.
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The Astana leader’s win was well-deserved, many rivals argued, because the Dane has come so close on so many occasions. Yet despite the setbacks and the defeats, he continued battling onwards.
Fuglsang has made the top ten in every stage race he has taken part in this spring, ranging from sixth in the Vuelta a Murcia through to fourth in the Vuelta al País Vasco, third in Tirreno-Adriatico, with an overall win in the Vuelta a Andalucia. Fuglsang has also been on every podium of all his one-day races this year, culminating in his three podium finishes in the Ardennes, from third in Amstel to first in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
On top of that, Astana have offered a very solid all-round performance in the Ardennes Classics, with six riders in the front group at the foot of the Cote des Forges, the second last climb of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. No-one could accuse Fuglsang of riding to victory on another team’s coat-tails.
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The new finish didn’t change the outcome
Deceuninck-QuickStep the team of the spring despite Liège disappointment
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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