The 72nd edition of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège cycling classic presented a severe test for the peloton. The rolling Ardennes hills were made even more arduous by strong winds, frigid temperatures, and heavy rain. This 1986 race was a true battle against the elements, ultimately seeing Moreno Argentin secure his second of four victories in ‘La Doyenne’. He achieved a remarkable three consecutive wins from 1985 to 1987.
On that cold Belgian Sunday, the finish line saw a four-man group contest the victory: Dag Erik Pedersen, Adrie van der Poel, Moreno Argentin, and Claude Criquielion.
The race intensified after a five-man breakaway was caught just before the steep Mont Theux climb. A new four-rider group, including the Tour of Flanders winner Adrie Van Der Poel, formed and managed to gain a 30-second advantage. Van Der Poel had initiated the decisive move with an attack on the La Redoute climb. Argentin and Criquielion felt strong enough to pursue the Dutchman, while other strong contenders like Hinault and Lemond seemingly hesitated.
Defending champion Argentin and Criquielion successfully bridged the gap to the solo leader Van Der Poel. Norwegian Pedersen then joined this leading group, forming the final selection of the race.
In the closing 20 kilometers leading into Liège, Argentin had to counter numerous attacks from Criquielion. However, with just one kilometer remaining, Criquielion launched a decisive escape. Argentin patiently responded, and as former teammate Pedersen closed the gap to Criquielion, Moreno Argentin, perfectly positioned, surged past Van Der Poel to claim his second consecutive L-B-L victory in a sprint.
Key Moments and Notable Riders:
Moreno Argentin: The Italian was a dominant force in the 1980s and a formidable Classics rider. His victory in 1986 marked his second of four wins in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Adrie Van Der Poel: Father of the current cycling star Mathieu van der Poel, Adrie was a prominent figure in the 80s, winning the Tour of Flanders earlier that year. He was instrumental in shaping the race’s finale.
Dag Erik Pedersen: The Norwegian rider achieved a strong third-place finish after joining the decisive breakaway.
Claude Criquielion: A strong Belgian contender, Criquielion was part of the lead group and launched several attacks before finishing fourth.
Other notable riders pictured and their race outcomes (or lack thereof):
- Laurent Fignon did not finish.
- Rolf Gölz finished 11th.
- Bernard Hinault did not finish.
- Giuseppe Saronni did not finish.
- Didi Thurau was a past winner of Liège in 1979.
- Charly Mottet was a versatile rider.
- Kim Eriksen and Ricardo Magrini endured the harsh conditions.
- Joel Pelier was a teammate of Sean Kelly.
- Marc Sergeant finished 6th and is now a team boss.
- Sean Kelly finished 12th, over a minute behind the winner.
- Joop Zoetemelk finished 17th in the same group as Kelly.
- Steven Bauer did not finish.
- Greg Lemond finished 14th, though he won his first Tour de France that year.
- Frederic Brun did not finish, Kim Andersen was 37th, and Pascal Simon was 29th.
- Steven Rooks finished 5th, 20 seconds behind Argentin.
- Serge Demierre was a Swiss champion and Tour de France stage winner.
The race saw 219 starters, with only 54 classified finishers. The average speed for the 252 km race was 37.66 kph, reflecting the difficult conditions.
1986 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Final Classification:
- Moreno Argentin (Ita) Sammontana-Bianchi in 6:41:21
- Adrie Van der Poel (Ned) Kwantum Hallen-Decosol-Yoko
- Dag-Erik Pedersen (Nor) Ariostea
- Claude Criquielion (Bel) Hitachi-Marc-Splendor
- Steven Rooks (Ned) PDM at 0:20
- Marc Sergeant (Bel) Lotto
- Jean-Philippe Vandenbrande (Bel) Hitachi-Marc-Splendor at 0:44
- Roberto Pagnin (Ita) Malvor-Bottecchia
- Hubert Seiz (Swi) Supermercati Brianzoli 0:55
- Heinz Imboden (Swi) Cilo-Aufina at 1:00
- Rolf Gölz (Ger) Del Tongo at 1:05
- Sean Kelly (Irl) KAS at 1:13
- Patrick Versluys (Bel) Fangio-Lois-Mavic
- Greg Lemond (USA) La Vie Claire
- Yvon Madiot (Fra) Système U
- Régis Clère (Fra) Miko-Carlos-Tonissteiner
- Joop Zoetemelk (Ned) Kwantum Hallen-Decosol-Yoko
- Acacio Da Silva (Por) KAS
- Jan Nevens (Bel) Lotto
- Peter Harings (Ned) Lotto
- Silvano Contini (Ita) Gis Gelati
- Etienne de Wilde (Bel) Hitachi-Marc-Splendor
- Eddy Schepers (Bel) Carrera
- Tony Rominger (Swi) Cilo-Aufina
- Rudy Pevenage (Bel) Del Tongo
- Alfio Vandi (Ita) Ariostea
- Theo de Rooy (Ned) Panasonic
- Luc Wallays (Bel) Fangio
- Pascal Simon (Fra) Peugeot-Shell
- Jean-Claude Bagot (Fra) Fagor
- Robert Millar (GB) Panasonic
- Gert-Jan Theunisse (Ned) Panasonic
- Stefan Mutter (Swi) PDM at 6:10
- Marco Vitali (Ita) Cilo-Aufina at 6:50
- Maarten Ducrot (Ned) Kwantum Halle-Decosol-Yoko at 10:32
- Johnny Broers (Ned) Skala-Skil
- Kim Andersen (Den) La Vie Claire
- Bruno Huger (Fra) RMO
- Marco Giovannetti (Ita) Gis Gilati
- Eric Caritoux (Fra) Fagor
- Nico Emonds (Bel) Kwantum Hallen-Decosol-Yoko
- Patrick Verschueren (Bel) Roland-Van De Ven
- Brian Holm (Den) Roland-Van De Ven at 15:00
- Michel Dernies (Bel) Lotto at 15:25
- Raoul Bruyndonckx (Bel) Roland-Van De Ven
- Peter Hoondert (Ned) PDM at 18:10
- Rene Beuker (Ned) PDM
- Franck Pineau (Fra) Reynolds
- Sergio Santimaria (Ita) Ariostea
- Paul Kimmage (Irl) RMO
- Mario Beccia (Ita) Malvor-Bottecchia
- Jean Habets (Ned) Skala-Skil
- Antonio Bevilacqua (Ita) Supermercati Brianzoli
- Jacques van Meer (Ned) Skala-Skil.