Liege-Bastogne-Liege brought down the curtain on this season’s Monument classics in thrilling style.
With the notable exception of the Schleck brothers, nearly all the pre-race favourites rode strongly to set up an enthralling last 25km.
Philippe Gilbert, while not back to his very best, rode a strong and intelligent race, marshaling his BMC troops before giving his all at the denouement.
Dan Martin (Garmin-Barracuda) gave another demonstration of his pedigree among the world’s best riders by launching impressive attacks before finishing fifth.
Vincenzo Niabli (Liquigas-Cannondale) suffered heartbreak just 1km from a famous victory after a brilliant descent off the Faucon and a gutsy climb on the St Nicolas.
But all the credit must go to Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) for a hugely impressive win, begun on the slopes of the St Nicolas and continued in a relentless pursuit of Nibali that brought him victory by 20 seconds.
Defending champion, Philippe Gilbert, marshaled his BMC Racing troops to do much of the pace making
After 116.5km, the peloton was met with the brutal 11 per cent gradient of the 1km long Côte de Saint-Roch
Ireland’s Dan Martin (Garmin-Barracuda) and the French rider, Pierre Rolland (Europcar) attack on the Côte Saint Nicolas
Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) launched an audacious solo attack on the descent of the Faucon to lead until 1k to go
Maxim Iglinskiy salutes the crowd as he approaches the finish line to take the biggest win of his career
Enrico Gasparotto, winner of the Amstel Gold Race seven days earlier, completes another great day for Astana by sprinting to third at Liege-Bastogne-Liege
