Known as the Gran'Ma of them all, Liège-Bastogne-Liège is well and truly the oldest of cycling's classics. First run in 1892, it rides through the hilliest parts of Belgium, along routes typical of the Ardennes. In its latter stages the race, cut out for all-round riders and of an attacking temperament, offers a succession of steep hills now fully embedded in cycling lore (Wanne, Stockeu, La Redoute). As well as its unique itinerary, Liège-Bastogne-Liège can arguably boast some of the most picturesque scenery to be seen in the Ardennes. Along the way, famed ports of call bring to mind great moments in cycling history. As well as one of World War II's fiercest battles - Stavelot and Houffalize were two of the focal points of the Battle of the Ardennes. Though a spring race per se, it has known its share of rigorous winter weather. Germain Derycke, co-winner in 1957 with Frans Schoubben, and Bernard Hinault, who pulled off a memorable solo breakaway in 1980, won amidst blizzard conditions. With the exception of these meteorological quirks, Liège-Bastogne-Liège remains Belgium's Primavera - an athletically demanding race in which Belgian riders have proven all but invicible, with Eddy Merckx first and foremost, having managed five victories in a seven year span from 1969 to 1975, including three in a row. Moreno Argentin, Italy's maestro of the Ardennes, won for his part four times between 1985 and 1991. Nonetheless, the list of past winners does reflects cycling's ever-widening international appeal Switzerland (Ferdi Kubler's two victories in 1951 and 1952), Germany (Herman Buse and Dietrich Thurau), Ireland (a pair of victories for Sean Kelly) Denmark (Rolf Sorensen), Luxemburg (Marcel Ernzer) and Russia (Evgueni Berzin) have all had their share of the spoils, as well as the Netherlands with three victories (Albertus Geldermans, Steven Rooks and Adri Van der Poel). Four Frenchmen have won Liège-Bastogne-Liège : Louis Trousselier, Camille Danguillaume, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault who won on his debut as a professionnal in 1977 (the Badger was to strike again three years later). Closer to us, Michele Bartoli's two successive victories (1997 and 1998) renewed with a long-standing tradition of Italian success in the Ardennes. But he fell short of three-peating, bowing down to Frank Vandenbroucke. The young Belgian prodigy successively left cold in his tracks Laurent Jalabert, Michele Bartoli and Boggerd, his three fiercest rivals. But with Bettini, a new Italian classic-hunter is born. | Axel Merckx | | D. Rebellin | | P. Bettini | | B. Hinault |