Patience Pays Off
The rolling hills of the Belgian Ardennes took on additional toughness during the 72nd edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege when wind, cold temperatures, and heavy rain fell on the peloton.
After a five rider breakaway was caught just before the steep Mont Theux the race became animated. A new group of four rider containing Flanders winner Adri Van Der Poel formed and opened a 30 second gap.
Defending champion Moreno Argentin and Claude Criquielion beat the cold temperatures and joined the now solo Van Der Poel in the breakaway. When Norwegian Dag Erik Pedersen managed to join the group the final selection of the race had occurred.
Argentin covered numerous Criquielion attacks on the final 20 kms into Liege, but at the 1 km to go flag the Belgian escaped. Argentin patiently waited while former teammate Pedersen closed the gap on Criquielion. Moreno Argentin, perfectly placed, jump past Van Der Poel and easily took his second consecutive L-B-L victory.
| L-B-L April 20, 1986 |
| 252 Km |
1.
Moreno ARGENTIN (Ita) 6h41'21” |
2.
Adri Van der Poel (Ned) |
3.
Dag-Erik Pedersen (Nor) |
Starters:
219 |
Finishers: 54 |
Average Speed: 37.660 km/h |
L-B-L 1985
L-B-L 1987
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