Anticipated Excitements at Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2025:

Rockin' the Ardennes: Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025

Gear up, cycling fans! On Sunday, 27th April, the legendary Liège-Bastogne-Liège storms into Wallonia, Belgium's French-speaking region. Known as "La Doyenne" or the Old Lady, this thrilling race traces its roots back to 1892, making it the world's oldest professional cycling race. Here's everything you need to know about the men's and women's versions of this monumental event.

5 Things to keep your eyes peeled for at Liège-Bastogne-Liège:

Wallonia Rocks

After a series of Flemish triumphs, Liège offers a chance for Wallonia to take center stage. The race unfolds in the eastern hilly Ardennes, so expect more Liege waffles and Orval beer over Flemish frites and Westvleteren.

Liège Lure

Despite its name, the race traditionally finished in Ans, a northern suburb of Liège, atop a steep climb. However, a change since 2019 places the finish in the heart of the city itself, with the final climb coming 13km from the finish - perfect for lone attackers to seize the victory.

Dutch Masters

In the 10-year history of the women's Liège-Bastogne-Liège race, only two non-Dutch riders have emerged victorious: Lizzie Deignan in 2020 and Grace Brown last year. With Demi Vollering and Anna van der Breggen among the favorites, the record might remain intact.

Showdown at the Summit

The last four years have seen Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel each bag two wins. A duel between the two heavyweights remains tantalizingly out of reach, but could 2025 finally be the year they go head-to-head?

Battle of the Bulge

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, which took place around a portion of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège route, including the Siege of Bastogne. Commemorative moments are sure to honor the fallen soldiers during the race.

Embracing the Redoute

The Côte de La Redoute, just over 30km from the finish, might not always decide the race, but it's often where the winning group is forged. At an average gradient of 8.8%, it's a steep challenge, especially for riders covering 220km in the men's race or 119km in the women's race.

Broadcast Info:

In the UK and Ireland, TNT Sports carries the broadcast, available through a TV package or Discovery+ subscription. Peacock holds the rights in the US, SBS On Demand provides free coverage in Australia, and a VPN like NordVPN allows you to watch your favorite services from abroad.

Last Year's Podiums:

Men's:

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)
Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich PostNL)
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

Women's:

Grace Brown (UAE Team ADQ)
Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek)
Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime)

Riders to Watch:

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)

A third Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory would see Pogačar joint-fourth on the all-time list for wins at La Doyenne. Given his young age of 26 and his impressive nine Monument wins, Pogačar is the clear favorite for the men's race.

Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez)

Vollering, a versatile Dutch rider, climbed to fame with her numerous victories. Two years ago, she claimed all three Ardennes Classics, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège. A win in 2025 would make her the outright record holder.

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)

With her powerful punch and impressive all-around skills, Lotte Kopecky has made a name for herself. However, Liège-Bastogne-Liège presents a unique challenge due to its steep climbs. Kopecky, who's vying for the Tour de France Femmes title, will need to show she can excel on climbs as steep as these if she's to clinch a monumental victory.

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)

A two-time Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner, Evenepoel could become the first reigning Olympic champion to claim the title. Pulling off a win in 2025 would also prove he's back in top form following his injury-related absence late last year. He'll be one to watch for sure.

Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto)

The defending Tour de France Femmes champ has shown consistency in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, never finishing outside the top 20 in eight attempts. However, she's yet to make it to the podium. It's time for a breakthrough performance from Niewiadoma, who's aiming to add Liège-Bastogne-Liège to her long list of achievements.

(Enrichment Data: The Dutch riders, notably Demi Vollering, have shown a strong dominance in Liège-Bastogne-Liège women's cycling, especially in recent years. This dominance is linked to strong Dutch teams such as Team SD Worx, known for their strategic and individual strengths in Ardennes Classics)

Prepare for an exciting spectacle of sports as Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025 unfolds, showcasing the world's oldest professional cycling race in the heart of Wallonia, Belgium. Keep a keen eye on the Dutch riders, particularly Demi Vollering, who have been dominating the women's Liège-Bastogne-Liège race in recent years.