The race kicks into gear in Bastogne to head north via Houffalize. After an undulating section of 53 kilometres the riders tackle the Côte de Wanne, a 3.6 kilometres climb at 5.1%, before continuing onto the Côte de la Haute-Levée. This hill is 3.1 kilometres long and slopes at 7%.
In the descent the riders fly past the midway mark and enter the longest climb of the day. The Col du Rosier adds up to 4.4 kilometres, while the average gradient sits at 5.9%. The descent leads onto a newcomer, Côte de Desnié, which is 1.6 kilometes long at an average gradient of 8.1%.
The race is approaching the decisive phase of the last two editions. Both Lizzie Deignan and Annemiek van Vleuten attacked from a lead group on the Côte de La Redoute. The 2 kilometres climb out of the Amblève Valley averages 8.9% with ramps up to 13%.
A short drop and equally short climb lead to Sprimont before the sharp Côte des Forges appears: 1.3 kilometres at 7.8%. Still 33 kilometres and one climb to go at the top.
At 1.3 kilometres and averaging 11%, the energy sapping Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons is crested 13 kilometres before the line. A short descent leads onto 2 more uphill kilometres – 3.6% at first, then 6.2% – before 5 kilometres on the flat make way for the downhill into Liège. The last 2 kilometres are played out on flat city streets.
All four editions of Liège-Bastogne-Liège for women were won solo. Van der Breggen took the first two – with finish in Ans -, Van Vleuten and Deignan were victorious in the last two.
Other interesting reads: results and start list Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes 2021.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes 2021: routes, profiles, more
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