Jens Voigt (RadioShack-Nissan) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 2 of 24
A start line mascot at Liege (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 3 of 24
Maxime Monfort (RadioShack-Nissan) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 4 of 24
Michael Albasini (GreenEdge) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 5 of 24
Sylvain Chavanel (Omega-Pharma QuickStep) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 6 of 24
Matt Brammeier (Omega-Pharma QuickStep) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 7 of 24
Team Type 1 founder Phil Sutherland (right) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 8 of 24
Laurent Didier (RadioShack-Nissan) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 9 of 24
Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nissan) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 10 of 24
Frank Schleck faces the media at Liege (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 11 of 24
Thomas Lövkvist (Team Sky) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 12 of 24
Laurens ten Dam (Rabobank) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 13 of 24
Matt Brammeier's Specialized bike (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 14 of 24
Rabobank team car and Giant bikes (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 15 of 24
Tom Steels (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 16 of 24
Saur - Sojasun's Time bikes (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 17 of 24
Jim Ochowicz (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 18 of 24
Giovanni Lombardi and Enrico Gasparotto (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 19 of 24
Cédric Vasseur and Patrick Lefevere (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 20 of 24
Fumiyuki Beppu (GreenEdge) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 21 of 24
Alex Howes (Garmin-Barracuda) tests his radio (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 22 of 24
Simon Gerrans (GreenEdge) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 23 of 24
Sandy Casar (FDJ-Big Mat) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Image 24 of 24
Fabian Wegmann (Garmin-Barracuda) (Image credit: Daniel Simms)
The final classic of the spring, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Liège-Bastogne-Liège, ♔began in Belgium this morning. It was your typical Belgian race startline, packed with adoring fans in stretched team kits from the mid-90s, and young kids calling out to riders’ names in brave attempts to attract stray bidons and caps.
Daniel Mangeas' voice trickled through the announcement speakers as riders braved the chilly but dry conditions on their way to the sign on, aware that Liege is the final curtain call before attention shifts to the stage races of May, and the 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Giro d’Italia.
But a closer look outside the team buses gave an insight into a far more in﷽teresting side to the sport. With the Classics beginning to wind down a number of teams and riders have begun discussing plans for next year and a number of agents w𓃲ere present in Liege, having kept far lower profiles earlier in the season.
Folded arms and pursed lips were the norm as initial stages of haggling filled the air. One team director was slightly more abrupt, raising a finger in the direction of an opposing team before telling Cyclingnews, ‘I think they🅘’ll be after my rider, they need🌄 him.”
Cycling, a rich and every changing sport of dynamics, never stands still, and while racing will almost certainly dominate tomorrow’s headlines, there was much more at stake at this morning’s start in Liege.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guide🍌s, direct to your inbox!