Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons

Added to the Liège-Bastogne-Liège route in 2008, La Roche-aux-Faucons immediately became one of its decisive climbs. The 1.8km averages 8.7% on a road that alternates between smooth tarmac and sections of degraded surface, demanding constant adjustment of line and power output. It sits just 35km from the finish in Liège, which means any meaningful gap opened here is defensible to the line. Andy Schleck attacked here in 2011 with Frank Schleck and Frank Gilbert following in a move that led to the iconic photograph of all three brothers — wait, not quite: this was the launch pad for the winning move in Philippe Gilbert's extraordinary Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory. The forest-lined road gives it a more remote, dramatic character than many Ardennes climbs.