diff --git a/lemon/cplex.h b/lemon/cplex.h
--- a/lemon/cplex.h
+++ b/lemon/cplex.h
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
   ///
   /// This class implements an interface for the CPLEX LP solver.
   ///\ingroup lp_group
-  class CplexLp : public CplexBase, public LpSolver {
+  class CplexLp : public LpSolver, public CplexBase {
   public:
     /// \e
     CplexLp();
@@ -171,6 +171,11 @@
     /// \e
     virtual ~CplexLp();
 
+    /// \e
+    virtual CplexLp* cloneSolver() const;
+    /// \e
+    virtual CplexLp* newSolver() const;
+
   private:
 
     // these values cannot retrieved element by element
@@ -186,9 +191,6 @@
 
   protected:
 
-    virtual CplexLp* _cloneSolver() const;
-    virtual CplexLp* _newSolver() const;
-
     virtual const char* _solverName() const;
 
     virtual SolveExitStatus _solve();
@@ -222,7 +224,7 @@
   ///
   /// This class implements an interface for the CPLEX MIP solver.
   ///\ingroup lp_group
-  class CplexMip : public CplexBase, public MipSolver {
+  class CplexMip : public MipSolver, public CplexBase {
   public:
     /// \e
     CplexMip();