The Classics

['Dale]

The gap has now gone up to 13:20, with the race being so long, the peloton are obviously comfortable with giving the escapees such a large advantage.

 

['Dale]

The peloton has decided that 14:35 is enough for them and Stephen Cummings has been sent to the front to try and bring them back in a bit.

['Dale]

Cummings work has had an immediate effect and the gap has been reduced by 15 seconds.

['Dale]

215 kms from 263 to go

['Dale]

 

One man who was very happy to make the start today was Michael Rogers. It's his first race since the Japan Cup last year, where he tested positive for clenbuterol. He was cleared by the UCI this week and Tinkoff-Saxo was quick to get him back into racing.

Edited April 27, 2014 by ' Dale

['Dale]

The six leaders have seen their gap reduced futher. However with a 14:50 advantage the needn't worry just yet.

['Dale]

 

Astana had a great Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2012 where Maxim Iglinskiy won the race with Enrico Gasparotto coming home in third. This year they are riding in support of Vincenzo Nibali, who finished second on that day after he was passed by Iglinskiy.

Edited April 27, 2014 by ' Dale

['Dale]

Cummings is now being given some assistance on the front in the form of Movistar's Jose-Ivan Gutierrez. The gap is currently 14:50.

['Dale]

Valverde seems to be the favourite of many today even after being booed somewhat up the Mur de Huy

['Dale]

The riders have completed 62km now and we are nearing the first climb of Côte de La Roche-en-Ardenne, which is a 2.8km ascent that averages 6.2%.

['Dale]

 

The riders have now hit the first climb of the day and the gap to the leaders continues to fall. There will be a little bit of respite before the six leaders battle it out for the sprint prize at 100km.

['Dale]

There wasn't just cycling royalty at the start today. King Philippe of Belgium (not Gilbert) was also present to mark the 100th race. He was introduced to Gilbert, Rui Costa, Jurgen Van den Broeck and Alejandro Valverde.

['Dale]

Jakobs leads the escapees over the first climb. Their gap has ballooned out once again and is now at 15:50.

['Dale]

 

Thomas Voeckler is a bit of a wildcard today, in more ways than one. Not known for just sitting back in the bunch and waiting for the action to happen, will he try something today?

['Dale]

 

Thomas Voeckler is a bit of a wildcard today, in more ways than one. Not known for just sitting back in the bunch and waiting for the action to happen, will he try something today?

['Dale]

just past the two hour mark and the riders are still zipping along at an average of 40kph. The escapees have a substantial margin of 15:40 on the peloton.