Road works – not appalling weather conditions this time - mean that the climb of the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons will not feature on the Liège-Bastogne-Liège itinerary this year, but working out an alternative route has caused problems for race organisers ASO.

Situated some 20 km from the finish line, the Roche-aux-Faucons has been a crucial element in Liège-Bastogne-Liège since being included in the route in place of the Côte du Sart Tilman back in 2008, but La Dernière Heure reports that construction work on the climb will not be finalized in time for the race on April 21.

Alternative contingency plans exist but according to ASO representative, Jean-Michel Monin, Liège-Bastogne-Liège is likely to climb the Côte de Colonster [2.9km at 5.5%], although the riders would have to tackle the climb via a sharp hairpin bend. An ASO delegation will assess the possible finale of the race on Wednesday.

“Roche-aux-Faucons and Tilff are out of bounds, we will doubtless have to climb to Colonster,” said ASO’s Jean-Michel Monin. “In all likelihood we’ll have to descend via Seraing to get back to the Côte de Saint-Nicolas.”