Liege-Bastogne-Liege Sportive

Today is the sportive, and tomorrow the pros race over the same course - so this is a real chance to experience one of the "Monument" classics of the European season - if you can stretch to the full 270km distance...

155 and 80km options are probably more doable!

L-B-L is notable for all the serious hills coming in the second half of the course - just a couple of climbs before you reach Bastogne, then loads on the return to Liege.  Some of the climbs are timed, and you can expect crowds lining the sides- even for the sportive.

InnerRing has a detailed description of the route.

And yes, that's right - it's one of those rare pro courses that is circular - just like a sportive - so no bus journey back to the start line once you have finished.

Amazingly, it is possible to sign on for the sportive on the morning.  6,000 are expected, 4,000 did it last year.

Anyone fancy it for next year?