CYCLING: Liège-Bastogne-Liège ME 1.UWT 2025 (BEL)

Belgium 27 Apr 2025 Class 1.UWT – 1 day – UCI WorldTour

Website www.letour.fr and https://www.liege-bastogne-liege-femmes.be/en/ ; https://www.instagram.com/classiquesardennes/

Email tgouvenou@aso.fr

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, La Doyenne! It’s a race steeped in history and revered as one of cycling’s five Monuments. Let’s delve into its fascinating past.

The Early Years

The very first edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège was held way back in 1892, making it the oldest of the prestigious one-day Classics. Imagine the rudimentary bikes and roads of that era! It was an initiative of the Liège Cyclist Union, primarily for amateurs.

• The inaugural race on August 15, 1892, covered a demanding 250 kilometers.
• Léon Houa of Belgium emerged as the first victor. Interestingly, he also won the next two editions in 1893 and 1894.

After a hiatus, the race was revived in 1908, this time open to professionals, solidifying its place on the cycling calendar. The start and finish were both in Liège for the first time.

Growth and Evolution

• The early decades saw mostly Belgian riders dominating the event, fitting for a race held in the heart of cycling-mad Belgium. However, it gradually attracted more international competitors.
• The interwar period saw the dominance of Fleming Alfons Schepers, who secured three victories.
• Like many events, World War I led to a cancellation, but La Doyenne returned in 1919.

The “Monuments” Era

Over time, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with its rich history, challenging parcours, and prestige, became recognized as one of the five “Monuments” of cycling, alongside Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Giro di Lombardia. These races are the most revered one-day events in the sport.

The Modern Race

• Liège-Bastogne-Liège is known for its arduous nature, characterized by numerous steep climbs scattered throughout the Ardennes region of Belgium. This hilly terrain makes it a race for strong climbers and puncheurs (riders with explosive power on short, steep ascents).
• The route traditionally takes riders from Liège south to Bastogne and then back to Liège, hence the name. However, the exact parcours and the location of the finish line have seen some variations over the years. Since 2020, the finish has been on the Quai des Ardennes in Liège.
• Key climbs like the Côte de la Redoute (introduced in 1975) and the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons have become iconic and often play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the race.

Noteworthy Moments

The history of Liège-Bastogne-Liège is filled with legendary moments and remarkable victories. Bernard Hinault’s gritty win in the snow-stricken 1980 edition is particularly memorable, with only 21 finishers out of 174 starters.

Women’s Race

A women’s edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège was introduced in 2017, adding another chapter to the race’s history and further solidifying its importance in the world of cycling.

La Doyenne continues to be a highlight of the cycling calendar, a true test of endurance, strength, and tactical acumen, and its history only adds to its legendary status.

Data powered by FirstCycling.com

Kevin Geniets – Groupama-FDJ, Luxembourg, 28 years

https://www.instagram.com/genietskevin

Bob Jungels – INEOS Grenadiers, Luxembourg, 32 years

https://www.instagram.com/bobjungels

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