Wanne

The longer, more sustained climb that precedes Stockeu on the Liège-Bastogne-Liège route, climbing from the Amblève valley through forest to the exposed Ardennes plateau. At 2.5km averaging 7.2%, Wanne is not as violent as Stockeu but is far more relentless — the gradient hovers between 6-9% for almost the entire ascent with little respite. The upper section opens onto windswept heathland that is beautiful in clear weather and bleak under the grey skies common in the Ardennes spring. The combination of Wanne and Stockeu — descending between them on the valley road — is a punishing 20-minute exercise in sustained suffering that mirrors the race experience.