2021 Liege-Bastogne-Liege Odds Favor Top Slovenian Riders At the Oldest Monument

Image source: Jean Housen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most famous one-day classics, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege takes place this Sunday, 25th of April. We can find all the top names in the starting list from Primoz Roglic to Julian Alaphilippe who fought for the victory last season. The Slovenian is the top favorite in the 2021 Liege-Bastogne-Liege odds in spite of losing against the French a few days before.

The first race between Liege and Bastogne was held in 1892, which makes this event the oldest of the five Monuments. La Doyenne is also the last spring classic with all top riders taking part in it. Last year’s race wasn’t without controversy after Julian Alaphilippe started to celebrate too early and lost the race against Primoz Roglic. What’s more, the French world champion was disqualified later for deviating from his sprinting line. Surely he will aim to get the victory now and finish what he started last year. But riders like Roglic or Pogacar can stop him from winning. Just like Alejandro Valverde who has won the race four times so far, being the second most successful cyclist in the history of the race. Only legendary Eddy Merckx managed to win it more times, on five occasions.

2021 Liege-Bastogne-Liege odds predict tight race between top three riders

Primoz Roglic was close to winning his second race of the season in the Fleche Wallonne this week. But Alaphilippe defeated him in the last few meters. Just like Roglic did it with him here last year when the French started to celebrate too early. So it’s 1-1 between the big rivals, we shall see who can take the victory this time. Online sportsbooks in Belgium slightly favor Roglic though with the odds of 5.00. Which makes sense following his great form this season and his strength in the climbs.

To be a top climber can help in the 259,5 km long race which will have 11 categorized climbs. With the last one taking place just 14km ahead of the finish line. This terrain can offer great chances for another top Slovenian cyclist, Tadej Pogacar. The 2020 Tour de France winner had to withdraw from the Fleche Wallonne but he is likely to compete now. The UAE rider finished third here last year and will be eager to win his first one-day classic. Julian Alaphilippe can win his second Monument here following his victory in the 2019 Milan-San Remo. As we mentioned he is in top form too after winning the 2021 Fleche Wallonne. The Quick-Step rider has the odds of 6.45 to win again in the 2021 Liege-Bastogne-Liege odds.

Valverde and other top GC riders are also in the favorites

Alejandro Valverde is unbelievable. As at the age of almost 41 (his birthday is on Sunday) he can still compete with his much younger rivals. The Movistar captain finished third in the Fleche Wallonne this week and 5th in the Amstel Gold Race. He also won the GP Miguel Indurain at the beginning of the month. Valverde has already won the La Doyenne four times but with another victory he could tie the current record holder, Eddie Merckx. He has the odds of 8.00 to achieve this record.

Online gambling sites in Belgium also mention Israel Start-Up Nation rider Michael Woods in the favorites with the odds of 13.00. Woods finished fourth in the Fleche Wallonne which can be a good sign ahead of another Ardennes classic. Especially as the Canadian rider has great results from this race. He finished in the top 10 in all four previous appearances, including a second-place finish in 2018. While Bora rider Max Schachmann has also stood on the podium here in 2019. The German rider has good results this season after winning the 2021 Paris-Nice and finishing third in the Amstel Gold Race. His odds to get another victory is 17.00 on 22Bet.

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