Team Emirates optimistic for Liege test
UAE Team Emirates’ Diego Ulissi is dreaming of success on coming Sunday as the Italian joins his team-mates in tackling one of cycling’s oldest and most challenging races, Liege - bastogneliege, scheduled to be held on April 22.
The Italian will be making his ninth appearance at the race and is looking to build on his top 30 finish in 2017, whilst team-mate Dan Martin will be hoping to go one better on his 2017 performance which saw the Irishman finish in second place.
Ulissi and Martin will be joined by the same team-mates who have competed in the recent Ardennes Classics: Rui Costa, Matteo Bono, Rory Sutherland, Manuele Mori and Alexandr Riabushenko.
Going into the final race of the classics, the team are optimistic following a valiant ride from Matteo Bono at the Amstel Gold Race, where the Italian headed the break-away for over 220km. Both Ulissi and Costa can also take confidence from their rides at Fleche Wallonne, after snatching top 20 spots in a tough race with a gruelling finishing climb up the Mur de Huy.
After 198.5kms of racing Costa placed 19th, with Ulissi’s effort earning him 14th, just 25 seconds behind winner Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-step Floors).
Commenting ahead of one of the most prestigious races in cycling, Ulissi said: “Liege-bastogne-liege is the race that dreams are made of. I am highly motivated, the team is feeling competitive and we will have several options throughout the race to try and make our sponsors and fans happy.”
Liege-bastogne-liege, or ‘The Old Lady’ as it is known amongst the cycling community, is the final race of the Ardennes Classics and the oldest of the five Monuments - the most prestigious one-day cycling races.
Having first taken place in 1892, the 2018 race will be the 104th edition, played out on a route of 256km.