| 1945 Resumption after the WW2 Bombardments in 1944
The 31st edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege was held on August 5, 1945.
L-B-L returned just months after German surrender (May 7, 1945). Forty-three brave riders lined up at the start in Liege (only 19 riders finishing the race).
The aftereffects of the famous 'Battle of the Bulge' were very present. Bastogne was recovering from Allied bombing, the famous Cote de Stockau was devastated, but the brave riders battled through every challenge.
Belgian Jan Engels (Alcyon) launched the decisive attack in the closing kms. He gained a 47” victory over a small hard charging group led by Edward Van Dijck (Individual) and Jef Moerenhout (Dilecta).
SPECIAL NOTE: The 1945 L-B-L marked the return of one of the greatest Classics. The race had grown and headed rapidly towards becoming one cycling's '5 Monuments'.
L-B-L August 5, 1945 |
208 Km, Liege-Bastogne-Liege
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1.
Jan ENGELS (Bel) 6h21'11" |
2.
Edward "Ward" Van Dijck (Bel) +47" |
3.
Jef Moerenhout (Bel) |
Starters: 43 / Finishers: 19  Ave Speed: 32.322 km/h |
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