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By Barry Boyce,
CyclingRevealed Historian |
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Liege-Bastogne-Liege Brief Return in 1943
After a 3 year absence the occupying German forces encouraged Liege-Bastogne-Liege to be run in 1943, but not using the center of Liege. The finish was moved to a soccer stadium track in neighboring Seraing.
Richard Depoorter launched a very well timed attack 5 kms from the finish and rode solo for the L-B-L victory.
SPECIAL NOTE: As the war turned against Germany the 1944 plans for L-B-L were scarped. Allied forces bombarded industrial areas of Belgian, which included Liege. From December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945 the Germans launched one of the bloodiest battles of the WW2. The beautiful wood hills of the Ardennes (very much part of the L-B-L race course) around Bastogne was the scene of the famous 'Battle of the Bulge'.
| L-B-L (Seraing) June 27, 1943 |
| 211 Km |
1.
Richard DEPOORTER (Bel) 5h52'00” |
2.
Joseph Didden (Bel) +7" |
3.
Stan Ockers (Bel) +40" |
Starters: 63 |
Finishers: 44 |
Average Speed: 35.971 km/h |
L-B-L 1945
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