Every good party has to come to an end, and so it is that Liège-Bastogne-Liège represents the final round of the spring classics.  The scene of a struggle between puncheurs and rouleurs over a course of 253 kilometers, La Doyenne is a monument all its own, and approached by the riders with a touch of apprehension and an air of distrust. 

“I’m not saying it is the most complicated classic,” Mathias Frank explained.  “It’s even a little easier technically than some others.  But what is really hard is the combination of a very hilly profile and the extreme distance.  And if we then add the high speed that the pack can adopt in this event to the other difficulties, then yes, it is really hard, and that’s what distinguishes it from all other races.”
 
For the oldest race still being held, IAM Cycling will be fielding a team which will be able to compete on any terrain.  A mixture of qualities is essential for any rider who has been successful enough to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège. 

“It’s easy to say, maybe, but it is always the strongest rider who lifts his arms in victory in Liège,” the 28 year old Frank said.  “The winner must be able to climb, but also must have the punch needed to explode the short, hard hills.  Being completely objective, I don’t think this is a race that really suits me perfectly.  I very much like the Ardennes classics, and Liège is an event that I love, but I find that my engine is a little small for this type of effort.  I always raced to help a teammate in the past, but that also allowed me to learn a lot about the tactical aspect of this race.”

Riders:
Clément Chevrier (F)
Mathias Frank (S)
Patrick Schelling (S)
David Tanner (Aus)
Pirmin Lang (S)
Jarlinson Pantano (Col)
Sébastien Reichenbach (S)
Larry Warbasse (USA)