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By Barry Boyce,
CyclingRevealed Historian |
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Liege-Bastogne-Liege Brief Return in 1943
The 30th edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege was held on June 27, 1943.
SPECIAL NOTE: After a 3-year absence the occupying German forces encouraged L-B-L to be run in 1943, but not using the center of Liege. The finish was moved to a soccer stadium track in neighboring Seraing (10 kms from Liege).
Richard Depoorter (Helyett) launched a very well-timed attack 5 kms from the finish and escaped the breakaway with Joseph Didden (Individual). Depoorter pace dropped Didden and he rode solo into Seraing for the L-B-L victory. Joseph Didden finished second 7” behind. Belgian star Stan Ockers (Métropole) won the field sprint for third place 40”. Briek Schotte (Europe) finished fourth.
SPECIAL NOTE: As the war turned against Germany the 1944 plans for L-B-L were scraped. Allied forces bombarded industrial areas of Belgian, which included Liege. From December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, the Germans launched one of the bloodiest battles of the WW2. The beautiful wood hills of the Ardennes (very much part of the L-B-L race course) around Bastogne was the scene of the famous 'Battle of the Bulge'.
L-B-L (finish in Seraing) June 27, 1943 |
211 Km, Liege-Bastogne-Liege
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1.
Richard DEPOORTER (Bel) 5h52'00” |
2.
Joseph Didden (Bel) +7" |
3.
Stan Ockers (Bel) +40" |
Starters: 63 / Finishers: 44  Ave Speed: 35.971 km/h |
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