Portugal Colonial - Rookie Evenepoel wins crash-marred Liege-Bastogne-Liege

In his first appearance in the race, the 22-year-old Belgian Evenepoel dropped his rivals 30km from the finish of the epic 257km run through the narrow, Ardennes forest lanes to seal a solo triumph in 6hr 12min 38sec.

Quinten Hermans was second while Wout Van Aert was third for an all-Belgian podium as 12 riders followed Evenepoel over the line 48sec adrift on a fast-paced 108th edition of this race known as La Doyenne, the oldest of the five ultra-long one-day 'Monument' races.

"It's crazy," said the winner. "My first ever Liege and I win it."

"I wanted to explode the race on the Redoute (a climb in the industrial neighbourhood outside Liege) and then I managed to cling on," said the former football apprentice who was double junior world champion in 2018.

Riding the final kilometre through Liege Evenepoel, looked behind to see the extent of his advantage before savouring the moment.

Shaking his head and touching his heart, he slowed to survey the lively crowds and shake his fist at his team car. After the finish he dismounted in a clearly exultant state.

Evenepoel was billed as the great future hope of cycling until he plunged into a ravine two years ago whilst leading the prestige Tour of Lombardy.

"I thank everyone who believed I would get back to my best level," he said of his long convalescence.

"I have done that and today I'm among the best in the world."

Evenepoel's team leader, the two-time defending world champion Alaphilippe fell 60km from home after British rider Tom Pidcock tumbled as the peloton was racing hard, taking down a mass of riders.

The Frenchman flew off the road and downhill where a tree broke his fall and where his mangled bike was abandoned as he was taken away by ambulance.

Alejandro Valverde was caught in the crash, as were Rigoberto Uran, Romain Bardet and Wilco Kelderman as the pack was reduced the pack to 60 riders.

The ever-popular 2018 world champion Valverde rallied to finish seventh.

C.Cassis--PC