21 April 2016
IAM Cycling
THE CHALLENGE
Its really important to conserve as much energy as possible for the first 180 kilometers, Stefan Denifl admits when talking about his third appointment with La Doyenne. “The challenge really is to be at the front on the Wanne climb. And then if you are well-placed once you are approaching La Redoute, anything is still possible.
THE EXPLANATION
Stefan Denifl has metabolized four successive breakaways that covered a whopping 385 kilometers during his time at the recent Tour of the Basque Country. The disappointment he felt after missing out by two points on winning the mountains jersey, which he had kept warm for much of the race, is now forgotten. I certainly gave everything I could to retain that important jersey. I blamed myself at the time. But really its just a hard fact of the sport that that day it was Diego Rosa who grabbed the necessary points. I left the race with a feeling of accomplishment, but more importantly full of confidence. For both my head and my morale, there was no better medicine.
THE INFO
The Ardennes classics are more suited to my qualities, confided Stefan Denifl. Thats because at races like Flèche Wallonne as well as Liège-Bastogne-Liège, we are facing climbs of three to four kilometers. With the Flemish classics, the climbs are more like 1000 meters, and much more suited to the punchy climbers. So we hope to take our revenge now, since I am not the only one excitedly awaiting these races.
THE MEMORY
Stefan Denifl burst onto the scene at the Liège-Bastogne-Liège on April 27, 2014. And the Austrian is determined to put in the effort that will see a similar performance this coming Sunday at Liège. My legs were on fire that day, and I was among the attackers on the St. Nicolas climb. I couldnt hold my advantage, but I did manage to keep up to finish 20th on the line. If I am well-placed again, I will certainly try my luck.
THE ABSENT
Stef Clement. Though scheduled to race La Flèche Wallonne, and then Liège-Bastogne-Liège, to be closely followed by the Tour of Romandie, the Dutch rider on the IAM Cycling team will now be required to bide his time as he waits for his broken right collarbone to heal after having fractured it in a crash at the Amstel Gold Race.
THE FAVOURITE
Alejandro Valverde. As the winner of Liège in 2006, 2008, and 2015, the Spaniard on the Movistar team won the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon the week before La Doyenne, and will certainly be the man to beat over the roads of Liège.
THE MENU OF THE DAY
The riders will tackle 253 kilometers, and cross no fewer than 10 climbs representing an altitude gain of 4500 meters, which is equivalent to a mountain stage of a three week grand tour.
LINE-UP Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Race Pictures – BettiniPhoto
