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Craig Lewis - Journey of a Professional Cyclist

Craig Lewis

April 22, 2011

Leige-Bastogne-Liege

Here’s a photo tour from today’s recon ride of Leige-Bastogne-Liege.

Once off of the rough cobbles in Stavelot, you are directly onto the Cote de la Haute-Levee. Throughout the day, anyone and everyone tries to tag along.

HTC-Highroad started its preview with the descent of the Cote du Stockeu. It's a fast and technical downhill into the cobbled streets of Stavelot.

Davide Cassani, former professional cyclist turned commentator, getting some footage of us as we climb the Haute-Levee.

After the descent of the Haute-Levee the Col du Rosier begins with a sharp hairpin turn. If you're not at the front for it, you'll be sprinting the rest of the four kilometer climb to catch up.

Halfway up the Col du Rosier. A once completely forested climb has now fallen victim to loggers.

Another sharp hairpin after the descent of the Rosier to begin the Col du Masquisard. The climbs just keep coming...

I doubt the Col du Masquisard will seem so pleasant and quite come Sunday. I can already hear and feel the helicopter blades hovering above us.

The base of the Mont-Theux. It starts out easy enough.

Now things are getting warmer, literally and physically. From here the race begins to take its toll at the 200 kilometer mark. The dead straight climb up the Mont-Theux is one of those you just hate. You can see the top the whole time, yet you never seem to reach it.

A key point in the race. From you here begin a very fast (100kph) descent that leads directly into the Cote de la Redoute.

A last gasp for air as you pass under the freeway to turn onto the steep slops of the Cote de la Redoute.

The Cote de la Redoute might as well be renamed to Phil.

Over the top of the Cote de la Redoute the real contenders are now at the head of affairs.

The Cote de la Rouch aux Faucons makes an appearance for the third year in a row. At an average of 10% for 1.5-kilometers, it has become one of the most decisive points in the final.

After the official top of the Cote de la Roche Faucons, it kicks up for another kilometer or two. Might not look like much, but if you could only feel the pain in my legs.

Entering the industrial zone of Liege, I know the finish is close!

The final climb of the day, the Cote de Saint-Nicolas.

After the steep grades of the Cote de Saint-Nicolas you are greeted with a few cobbles and very shape turns at the top.

One kilometer to go! The final drag is endless.

The finish line! Not much to look at today.

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