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RACE REPORTS: 96TH LIÈGE-BASTOGNE-LIÈGE: VINOKOUROV VICTORIOUS
Road Bike Action & AFP
April 25, 2010
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov, of (Astana) stunned a host of bigger favorites to win Liege-Bastogne-Liege, cycling's oldest one-day classic, for the second time Sunday. Vinokourov, the winner in 2005 who returned to the sport last year after a two-year ban for doping, crossed the finish line just ahead of fellow escapee Alexandr Kolobnev (Katusha) to finish in just over six and a half hours. Kolobnev, finished second with Spain's former two-time winner Alejandro Valverde, of Caisse d'Epargne, finishing third.
"I've turned the page," claimed Vinokourov, who was kicked off the 2007 Tour de France for blood doping after a second stage victory, prompting his team Astana to pull out of the race. The Kazakh, who has always proclaimed his innocence, added: "I've returned stronger than before and I've shown everybody that 'Vino' is back. "This team was created for and also thanks to me. I've completed my punishment so I don't see why I shouldn't come back."
Vinokourov came into the race in good shape having just won the Tour of Trentino in Italy. And when he escaped alongside the ever-impressive Kolobnev in the final 15-kilometers of the race it looked like they had the race sewn up. Together they opened up a crucial 30-second lead on the chasing trio of Cadel Evans, Philippe Gilbert and Valverde. Gilbert, who lives near one of the race's most difficult climbs, La Redoute, then counter-attacked Valverde on the 10th and last classified climb at Saint Nicolas and gave it his all in a bid to close the gap.
 Valverde wins the sprint for third (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
However, Vinokourov and Kolobnev's gap only increased, perhaps as a result of Vinokourov being condemned to attack due to having appeared to have lost radio contact with the team car that would normally inform him of time gaps. On the final climb into Ans, a suburb of Liege where the race finishes, Gilbert was rejoined by Valverde and Evans and despite taking the Spaniard's wheel the Belgian finished off the podium.
96th Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 261km
1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz/Astana) 6:37:48
2. Alexandr Kolobnev (Rus/Katusha) @ .06
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1:04
4. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Omega Pharma-Lotto) @ s.t.
5. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC)
6. Andy Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank) @ 1:07
7. Igor Anton (Spa/Euskaltel-Euskadi) @ s.t.
8. Christopher Horner (USA/Radioshack)
9. Frank Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank)
10. Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana)
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