Irish cyclocross and road international Liam O'Brien has put in a big performance in the inaugural edition of junior Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which finished around halfway up the iconic climb of La Redoute.
O'Brien - who rides for Fermoy CC at home and for Isorex Cycling Team when racing abroad - made the winning selection in the 138.5km race from Bastogne to Aywaille.
And while he was unable to move with the eventual top three after they attacked on one of the climbs nearing the finish, O'Brien was among the next group fighting for the minor placings. He eventually finished in 12th place, exactly one minute down on winner Tomos Pattinson (Tofauti Everyone Active).
Curtis Neill (U19 Academy La Pomme Marseille Provence) was the only other Irish rider in the race and he placed 34th - from 149 starters - some 1:53 down on the winner. That was a very solid result for Neill and followed a strong ride last weekend when he was 9th overall at the Isle of Man Junior Tour three-day race.
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While a breakaway went clear yesterday in junior Liège-Bastogne-Liège, it was swept up and the strongmen formed a select group on Côte de Stockeu, a 1km climb averaging 13 per cent gradient crested at the 94km marker.
O'Brien was in that move and once that selection was made the group was trimmed back on the Côt de La Haute, a 2.3km climb averaging seven per cent and crested some 98km into the race.
Ireland's O'Brien again did well on that ascent, holding his own and remaining in the group as a number of riders were shelled out the back. However, on the final climb - the 4.5km Côte de La Vecquée with just 16km remaining - three riders managed to break away from the leading group.
Eventual winner Pattinson was there along with Victor Vaneeckhoute (Crabbé Toitures-CC Chevigny Junior) and Milan Donie (AG2R Citroën U19 Team). As they rode clear, the cooperation lessened in O'Brien's group, which allowed a number of chasers to get on to them. That meant O'Brien was in a larger group when they hit La Redoute for the finish, though 12th place in such a prestigious race was a very strong ride.
