April 26th 2009

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, often called La Doyenne ("the oldest"), is a classic race first held in 1894 for professionals. It is run in the French part of Belgium, from Liège to Bastogne and back. The race has in several editions been affected by tough weather conditions, with low temperatures and even snow. The race follows a straightforward 95 km route from Liège to Bastogne, and a winding 163 km route back to Liège. The second half contains most of the climbs, such as the Côte de Saint-Nicolas with a slope of 11% before finishing in the northern Liège suburb of Ans. The many hills give opportunities for riders to attack, and the race often rewards aggressive riders.