Jungels dazzles with solo win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors) won Liege-Bastogne-Liege in stunning solo fashion on Sunday. The 25-year-old finished ahead of a chase group sprint won by Michael Woods (EF Education First-Drapac, with Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) rounding out the podium. Jungel’s 37-second margin of victory was the largest since fellow Luxembourg Andy Schleck’s win in 2009.

The win cemented Jungel’s status as a star of the future, as well as capping a historic spring campaign for the Quick-Step Floors team that saw the team win two monuments, including the Tour of Flanders, and two of the four Ardennes classics.

Even with his immense talent in the individual time trial, Jungels was unsure he would be able to hold off the chasers all the way to the line. “I made the most of my rouleur abilities in the finale. I needed to be very careful with how I used my strength, especially when we got to Saint-Nicolas.

“I couldn’t push too deep. And then I still feared being caught in the finale. It was the longest kilometer in my life. I only saw I could win when I entered the last curve, not before.”

Woods finishing second was maybe more of a surprise then Jungels win, “This is the best race of my life, you have to cherish these moments” said the EF Education First rider.

The 258-kilometer long classic, affectionately known as La Doyenne, is the oldest and arguably the hardest of all cycling’s monuments. Due to the punishing length and profile of the course, the race is known for the somewhat dull style of racing it tends to produce. Despite that, this year’s editions deviated from the muted racing seen in recent years, with the race turned on its head when Jungels threw down what would prove to be the winning attack with 20km to go on the Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons.

The peloton, which featured a sizeable number of riders before the climb, was immediately thinned out. Pre-race favorites Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal), Michał Kwiatkowski (Sky), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) took turns attacking what was left of the peloton in an attempt to bridge back up to the flying Jungels.

However, the group lacked the firepower and corporation to make contact. With Jungel’s teammate Julian Alaphilippe lurking on the wheels in nearly every counter-attack, no chase group was able to gather the necessary momentum.

Jelle Vandendert (Lotto Soudal) eventually got clear of the group on the Côte de Saint-Nicolas with 6km remaining. His attack saw Valverde lose the wheels on the climb, which was an early sign that the four-time champion would not be adding a record-tying fifth victory.

By the top of the climb, Jungel’s gap had shrunk from close to a minute to just 19 seconds. However, with Vandendert unable to close the gap and the chasing group locked in a stalemate, Jungels was able to push his gap back out to 32 seconds as he began the final uphill drag to the line.

Back in the group, Bardet attacked before the bunch hit the final kilometer, pulling Woods out with him. The Frenchman and Canadian were able to overtake the fading Vandenert on the uphill drag and came into the final bend with 250 meters remaining together. Woods easily outsprinted Bardet for second place and a career-defining result, while Alaphille won the sprint from what remained of the group for fourth.

 Results

• 1. Bob Jungels, (LUX) QUICK – STEP FLOORS, in 6:24:44
• 2. Michael Woods, (CAN) TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE, at :37
• 3. Romain Bardet, (FRA) AG2R LA MONDIALE, at :37
• 4. Julian Alaphilippe, (FRA) QUICK – STEP FLOORS, at :39
• 5. Domenico Pozzovivo, (ITA) BAHRAIN – MERIDA, at :39
• 6. Enrico Gasparotto, (ITA) BAHRAIN – MERIDA, at :39
• 7. Davide Formolo, (ITA) BORA – HANSGROHE, at :39
• 8. Roman Kreuziger, (CZE) MITCHELTON – SCOTT, at :39
• 9. Sergio Luis Henao Montoya, (COL) TEAM SKY, at :39
• 10. Jakob Fuglsang, (DEN) ASTANA PRO TEAM, at :39
• 11. Jelle Vanendert, (BEL) LOTTO SOUDAL, at :45
• 12. Sam Oomen, (NED) TEAM SUNWEB, at :48
• 13. Alejandro Valverde, (ESP) MOVISTAR TEAM, at :51
• 14. Jack Haig, (AUS) MITCHELTON – SCOTT, at 01:06
• 15. Tom Dumoulin, (NED) TEAM SUNWEB, at 01:24
• 16. Tim Wellens, (BEL) LOTTO SOUDAL, at 01:44
• 17. Jesus Herrada, (ESP) COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 02:08
• 18. Daniel Martin, (IRL) UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 02:41
• 19. Michael Valgren Andersen, (DEN) ASTANA PRO TEAM, at 02:50
• 20. Dylan Teuns, (BEL) BMC RACING TEAM, at 02:53
• 21. Maurits Lammertink, (NED) TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN, at 02:56
• 22. Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa, (POR) UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 02:56
• 23. Tiesj Benoot, (BEL) LOTTO SOUDAL, at 03:07
• 24. Robert Gesink, (NED) TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO, at 03:07
• 25. Bauke Mollema, (NED) TREK – SEGAFREDO, at 03:07
• 26. Rudy Molard, (FRA) GROUPAMA – FDJ, at 03:07
• 27. Patrick Konrad, (AUT) BORA – HANSGROHE, at 03:07
• 28. Diego Ulissi, (ITA) UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 03:07
• 29. Michal Kwiatkowski, (POL) TEAM SKY, at 03:07
• 30. Tom-Jelte Slagter, (NED) TEAM DIMENSION DATA, at 03:07
• 31. Philippe Gilbert, (BEL) QUICK – STEP FLOORS, at 03:07
• 32. Vincenzo Nibali, (ITA) BAHRAIN – MERIDA, at 03:07
• 33. Guillaume Martin, (FRA) WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT, at 03:07
• 34. Serge Pauwels, (BEL) TEAM DIMENSION DATA, at 03:07
• 35. Maximilian Schachmann, (GER) QUICK – STEP FLOORS, at 03:07
• 36. Anthony Roux, (FRA) GROUPAMA – FDJ, at 03:07
• 37. Damiano Caruso, (ITA) BMC RACING TEAM, at 03:07
• 38. Xandro Meurisse, (BEL) WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT, at 03:07
• 39. Alessandro De Marchi, (ITA) BMC RACING TEAM, at 03:07
• 40. Pieter Serry, (BEL) QUICK – STEP FLOORS, at 03:07
• 41. Tanel Kangert, (EST) ASTANA PRO TEAM, at 03:07
• 42. Mikel Nieve Iturralde, (ESP) MITCHELTON – SCOTT, at 03:07
• 43. Jay Mccarthy, (AUS) BORA – HANSGROHE, at 03:07
• 44. Omar Fraile Matarranz, (ESP) ASTANA PRO TEAM, at 03:07
• 45. Ilnur Zakarin, (RUS) TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN, at 03:15
• 46. Jose Herrada, (ESP) COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 03:17
• 47. Daryl Impey, (RSA) MITCHELTON – SCOTT, at 03:17
• 48. Axel Domont, (FRA) AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 03:18
• 49. Mikael Cherel, (FRA) AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 03:18
• 50. Robert KiŠerlovski, (CRO) TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN, at 03:22
• 51. Pierre Rolland, (FRA) TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE, at 03:22
• 52. Lilian Calmejane, (FRA) DIRECT ENERGIE, at 03:22
• 53. Warren Barguil, (FRA) TEAM FORTUNEO – SAMSIC, at 03:24
• 54. Rigoberto Uran, (COL) TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE, at 03:25
• 55. Tsgabu Gebremaryam Grmay, (ETH) TREK – SEGAFREDO, at 03:34
• 56. Geraint Thomas, (GBR) TEAM SKY, at 03:37
• 57. Rafal Majka, (POL) BORA – HANSGROHE, at 03:42
• 58. Davide Villella, (ITA) ASTANA PRO TEAM, at 04:01
• 59. Mikel Landa Meana, (ESP) MOVISTAR TEAM, at 05:25
• 60. Carlos Betancur, (COL) MOVISTAR TEAM, at 05:25
• 61. Daniel Felipe Martinez Poveda, (COL) TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE, at 06:00
• 62. Michael Gogl, (AUT) TREK – SEGAFREDO, at 08:50
• 63. Michael Matthews, (AUS) TEAM SUNWEB, at 09:08
• 64. José Rojas, (ESP) MOVISTAR TEAM, at 09:17
• 65. Ian Boswell, (USA) TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN, at 09:18
• 66. Lawrence Warbasse, (USA) AQUA BLUE SPORT, at 09:18
• 67. Nicolas Edet, (FRA) COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 09:18
• 68. Simon Geschke, (GER) TEAM SUNWEB, at 09:24
• 69. Alex Howes, (USA) TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE, at 10:11
• 70. Anthony Perez, (FRA) COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 10:11
• 71. Mark Christian, (GBR) AQUA BLUE SPORT, at 10:11
• 72. Tomasz Marczynski, (POL) LOTTO SOUDAL, at 10:11
• 73. Paul Ourselin, (FRA) DIRECT ENERGIE, at 10:11
• 74. Natnael Berhane, (ERI) TEAM DIMENSION DATA, at 10:11
• 75. Bjorg Lambrecht, (BEL) LOTTO SOUDAL, at 10:11
• 76. Kevin Deltombe, (BEL) SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE, at 10:11
• 77. Simon Gerrans, (AUS) BMC RACING TEAM, at 10:11
• 78. Paul Martens, (GER) TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO, at 10:11
• 79. Jacques Willem Janse Van Rensburg, (RSA) TEAM DIMENSION DATA, at 10:11
• 80. Carlos Verona, (ESP) MITCHELTON – SCOTT, at 10:11
• 81. Enric Mas Nicolau, (ESP) QUICK – STEP FLOORS, at 10:11
• 82. Stephen Cummings, (GBR) TEAM DIMENSION DATA, at 10:11
• 83. Jérôme Baugnies, (BEL) WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT, at 10:11
• 84. Cesare Benedetti, (ITA) BORA – HANSGROHE, at 11:36
• 85. David Gaudu, (FRA) GROUPAMA – FDJ, at 11:43
• 86. Preben Van Hecke, (BEL) SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE, at 12:03
• 87. Dimitri Peyskens, (BEL) WB AQUA PROTECT VERANCLASSIC, at 12:03
• 88. Toms Skujins, (LAT) TREK – SEGAFREDO, at 12:03
• 89. Joseph Rosskopf, (USA) BMC RACING TEAM, at 12:03
• 90. Benjamin King, (USA) TEAM DIMENSION DATA, at 12:03
• 91. Elie Gesbert, (FRA) TEAM FORTUNEO – SAMSIC, at 12:03
• 92. Romain Hardy, (FRA) TEAM FORTUNEO – SAMSIC, at 12:03
• 93. Thomas Degand, (BEL) WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT, at 12:03
• 94. Cyril Gautier, (FRA) AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 12:03
• 95. Bram Tankink, (NED) TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO, at 12:03
• 96. Dario Cataldo, (ITA) ASTANA PRO TEAM, at 12:03
• 97. Giovanni Visconti, (ITA) BAHRAIN – MERIDA, at 12:03
• 98. Gorka Izaguirre Insausti, (ESP) BAHRAIN – MERIDA, at 12:03
• 99. Amael Moinard, (FRA) TEAM FORTUNEO – SAMSIC, at 12:03
• 100. Christopher Juul Jensen, (DEN) MITCHELTON – SCOTT, at 12:03
• 101. Jon Izaguirre Insausti, (ESP) BAHRAIN – MERIDA, at 12:47
• 102. Tao Geoghegan Hart, (GBR) TEAM SKY, at 14:06
• 103. Gregor MÜhlberger, (AUT) BORA – HANSGROHE, at 14:06
• 104. Chad Haga, (USA) TEAM SUNWEB, at 14:32
• 105. Christopher Hamilton, (AUS) TEAM SUNWEB, at 14:32
• 106. Edward Dunbar, (IRL) AQUA BLUE SPORT, at 14:32
• 107. Andrey Amador, (CRC) MOVISTAR TEAM, at 14:32
• 108. Manuele Mori, (ITA) UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 15:48
• 109. G Lawson Craddock, (USA) TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE, at 15:48
• 110. Pavel Kochetkov, (RUS) TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN, at 15:48
• 111. Benjamin Declercq, (BEL) SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE, at 15:48
• 112. Marco Minnaard, (NED) WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT, at 15:48
• 113. Julien Bernard, (FRA) TREK – SEGAFREDO, at 15:48
• 114. Fabien Grellier, (FRA) DIRECT ENERGIE, at 15:48
• 115. Fabien Doubey, (FRA) WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT, at 15:48
• 116. Romain Seigle, (FRA) GROUPAMA – FDJ, at 15:48
• 117. Wout Poels, (NED) TEAM SKY, at 15:48
• 118. Thomas Sprengers, (BEL) SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE, at 15:48
• 119. Benoit Vaugrenard, (FRA) GROUPAMA – FDJ, at 15:48
• 120. Tosh Van Der Sande, (BEL) LOTTO SOUDAL, at 16:35
• 121. Luis Angel Mate Mardones, (ESP) COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 18:05
• 122. Aleksandr Riabushenko, (BLR) UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 18:06
• 123. Vasil Kiryienka, (BLR) TEAM SKY, at 18:06
• 124. Rory Sutherland, (AUS) UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 18:15
• 125. Winner Andrew Anacona, (COL) MOVISTAR TEAM, at 18:15
• 126. Imanol Erviti, (ESP) MOVISTAR TEAM, at 18:15
• 127. Reto Hollenstein, (SUI) TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN, at 18:15
• 128. Aaron Gate, (NZL) AQUA BLUE SPORT, at 18:15
• 129. Valentin Madouas, (FRA) GROUPAMA – FDJ, at 18:15
• 130. Justin Jules, (FRA) WB AQUA PROTECT VERANCLASSIC, at 18:15
• 131. Hugo Houle, (CAN) ASTANA PRO TEAM, at 18:15
• 132. Dion Smith, (NZL) WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT, at 18:15
• DNF Romain Sicard, (FRA) DIRECT ENERGIE
• DNF Floris De Tier, (BEL) TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
• DNF Bert-Jan Lindeman, (NED) TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
• DNF Jos Van Emden, (NED) TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
• DNF Danny Van Poppel, (NED) TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
• DNF Alexis Vuillermoz, (FRA) AG2R LA MONDIALE
• DNF Jonathan Hivert, (FRA) DIRECT ENERGIE
• DNF Florian Vachon, (FRA) TEAM FORTUNEO – SAMSIC
• DNF Bryan Nauleau, (FRA) DIRECT ENERGIE
• DNF Rein TaaramÄe, (EST) DIRECT ENERGIE
• DNF Piet Allegaert, (BEL) SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE
• DNF Dries Van Gestel, (BEL) SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE
• DNF Mathias Van Gompel, (BEL) SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE
• DNF Maxime Vantomme, (BEL) WB AQUA PROTECT VERANCLASSIC
• DNF Thomas Deruette, (BEL) WB AQUA PROTECT VERANCLASSIC
• DNF Laurent Pichon, (FRA) TEAM FORTUNEO – SAMSIC
• DNF Antoine Warnier, (BEL) WB AQUA PROTECT VERANCLASSIC
• DNF Gregory Daniel, (USA) TREK – SEGAFREDO
• DNF Daniel Garcia Navarro, (ESP)
• DNF Maxim Belkov, (RUS) TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN
• DNF Christophe Masson, (FRA) WB AQUA PROTECT VERANCLASSIC
• DNF Christoph Pfingsten, (GER) BORA – HANSGROHE
• DNF Julien Mortier, (BEL) WB AQUA PROTECT VERANCLASSIC
• DNF Matteo Bono, (ITA) UAE TEAM EMIRATES
• DNF Lukasz Wisniowski, (POL) TEAM SKY
• DNF Johannes FrÖhlinger, (GER) TEAM SUNWEB
• DNF Franco Pellizotti, (ITA) BAHRAIN – MERIDA
• DNF Rémi Cavagna, (FRA) QUICK – STEP FLOORS
• DNF Ben Gastauer, (LUX) AG2R LA MONDIALE
• DNF Benoit Cosnefroy, (FRA) AG2R LA MONDIALE
• DNF Léo Vincent, (FRA) GROUPAMA – FDJ
• DNF Kim Magnusson, (SWE) TEAM EF EDUCATION FIRST – DRAPAC P/B CANNONDALE
• DNF Kevin Ledanois, (FRA) TEAM FORTUNEO – SAMSIC
• DNF Alberto Bettiol, (ITA) BMC RACING TEAM
• DNF Loïc Vliegen, (BEL) BMC RACING TEAM
• DNF Rúben Guerreiro, (POR) TREK – SEGAFREDO
• DNF Julien Simon, (FRA) COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS
• DNF Maxime Monfort, (BEL) LOTTO SOUDAL
• DNF Scott Davies, (GBR) TEAM DIMENSION DATA
• DNF Lasse Norman Hansen, (DEN) AQUA BLUE SPORT
• DNF Casper Pedersen, (DEN) AQUA BLUE SPORT
• DNF Calvin Watson, (AUS) AQUA BLUE SPORT
• DNF Michael Albasini, (SUI) MITCHELTON – SCOTT
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