Not top favorite Finn, but Dutch super talent Dijkman wins U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Whoever wins La Doyenne for young riders can almost start counting on a fine professional career. Just look at the names on the race’s roll of honor over the past decade: João Almeida, Romain Grégoire, Jarno Widar... These are not just any names. So it was no surprise that this year’s start list was packed with top-level talents. Defending champion Widar was no longer eligible to take part, which opened the door for what promised to be a fascinating battle.

Where a small breakaway would normally go clear in a race such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the action exploded early this time. Around thirty riders broke away, and they were not exactly anonymous names. Among those present were Matisse Van Kerckhove and Aldo Tailleu of Visma | Lease a Bike, Lucas Van Gils of Lotto - Groupe Wanty, Jasper Schoofs of Soudal Quick-Step, and Dijkman of UAE Team Emirates.

Dijkman had already finished second in the junior version of this race two years ago, behind Paul Seixas. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe quickly understood how dangerous the breakaway was and kept the pace extremely high for top favorite Finn. With 40 kilometers to go, the U23 world champion launched his first acceleration, but the gap was not yet closed.

At the front, the leading group had been heavily reduced, while the favorites behind were getting closer and closer. The gap was eventually closed, after which Finn once again shook the tree. The Italian went solo at the head of the race and looked to have made his decisive move. Yet he could not get away: he was brought back, and several new attacks also came to very little. As a result, a surprisingly large peloton entered the final ten kilometers.

No decisive gaps were made there either, meaning the race came down to a sprint on the rising road in Blegny. And there it was not top favorite Finn who finished the job, but Dijkman who proved fastest. The Dutchman took the biggest victory of his career so far.