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Liege
Bastogne Liege
Postcard by Graham Baxter
Friday 19th April:
A group
of 36 people travelled with ourselves to Liege for a weekend at the
Liege Bastogne Liege. We took the 16.30hrs sailing from Dover to Calais
and arrived at the Hotel Campanile in Liege at 23.00hrs, where we spent
3 nights.
Saturday 20th
April:
There were 18 on the trip with bikes, who travelled on the coach
to Trois Ponts for a 50mile ride over the latter part of the Liege Bastogne
Liege route. The weather was sunny and warm (18º) as we left Trois Ponts
and headed towards Stavelot.
The first climb we tackled was the famous Stockeu Wall, where we took
time out to visit the Eddy Merckx statue (see photo). After Stockeu
we climbed the Wanneraval before returning to Trois Ponts. Following
the race route we then tackled the Cote de Rosier, Cote de Vequee, which
brought us to the town of Remourchamps and the much feared La Redoute.
After La Redoute we climbed the Cote de Sprimont before meeting the
coach where some rejoined for transport into Liege for the riders team
presentation and others rode the extra 10 miles into Liege.
The afternoon was
spent watching the riders team presentation, which was a good chance
to meet the riders and get autographs.
Sunday 21st April:
LIEGE BASTOGNE LIEGE
After an early breakfast we went intp the centre of Liege
for the start ceremony and signing on. After the start we travelled
onto the course and saw the race a further 8 times.
1st sighting was
after 10km and it was noticeable that the Bonjour team were trying to
get riders away.
2nd sightings was
after 45km and 2 riders were away and had a lead of 15minutes (Kloden
from Telekom and Salanson from Bonjour). The peleton were riding very
leisurely enjoying the warm springlike weather.
3rd sighting was
after 80km and the first major test of the race, the Cote de Saint Roch.
The 2 leaders had a lead of 20minutes but the race was on and all the
big names were to the front of the peleton forcing the pace on the Cote
de Saint Roch.
4th sighting was
after 150km on the Cote de Wanne and the lead was down to 12 minutes
5th sighting was
after 170km on the Cote de Wanneraval and Salanson had dropped Kloden
but his lead was now down to 6 minutes
6th sighting was
on the famous Cote de La Redoute with only 35km remaining. There was
a group of 11 who had just left the main group and had caught Salanson
on the lower slopes of La Redoute. It was from this 11 that came the
winner Bettini came.
7th sighting was
at the finish in Ans where we saw Bettini and Garzelli storm up the
finishing climb to a Mapei one two victory
After the finish
we returned to the hotel campanile for our evening meal.
Monday 22nd April:
After an early breakfast we left the Hotel Campanile and commenced
the return journey home, dropping some overseas clients at Brussels
airport before catching the ferry sailing to Dover.
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