Sun Apr 27 10:00:00 UTC 2025: ## French Cyclists Eye Liège-Bastogne-Liège Glory

**Liège, Belgium** – French cyclists are brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, one of cycling’s five Monuments. While underperforming in recent Flanders classics, the French team is looking to capitalize on their strong track record at the Belgian race. In the last eleven editions, French riders have achieved ten top-10 finishes, including a particularly strong showing last year with Romain Bardet finishing second.

The course’s demanding profile, featuring short but challenging climbs, perfectly suits the strengths of many French riders, particularly the puncheurs (powerful climbers). This abundance of talented puncheurs, inspired by the success of two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe, is seen as a key factor in their recent resurgence.

Several French riders are eyeing podium finishes. This includes Aurélien Paret-Peintre, who performed well at the Tour of Flanders, and Kévin Vauquelin, who finished second at the Flèche Wallonne. Romain Grégoire and Romain Bardet (competing in his last Monument before retirement) also express high hopes for the race. While acknowledging the dominance of riders like Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, the French team is optimistic about securing top positions.

Despite their strong performance, a French victory remains elusive. Bernard Hinault’s 1980 win remains the last time a French rider triumphed at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, highlighting the challenge they face. However, the team is confident in their ability to secure multiple top-10 finishes and fight for a place on the podium. The race promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a successful spring for the French cycling team.

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