Liège-Bastogne-Liège: The King of the Classics

Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Liège-Bastogne-Liège, abbreviated as LBL) is the oldest cycling classic in the world, founded in 1892, 13 years before the Tour de France. Along with Milan-San Remo, Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, and Il Lombardia, it is considered one of the five “Monuments” of cycling.

Race Overview

Race Route Characteristics

LBL starts in Liège, heads south through the Ardennes forest, reaches the small town of Bastogne in southeastern Belgium (a famous World War II battlefield), then returns along the same route to finish near Liège.

Iconic Climbs

Côte de la Redoute (Redoute Hill)

• Length: 2 km
• Gradient: 9% average, 22% maximum
• Approximately 35 km from the finish
• Usually a key point for launching attacks

Côte de Saint-Nicolas (Saint-Nicolas Hill)

• Only 17 km from the finish
• Although not the steepest, its position makes it the decisive point of the race

Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons

• Approximately 15 km from the finish
• The climb that has most often decided the race in recent years

Legendary Moments

Eddy Merckx’s Era of Dominance

Belgian legend Eddy Merckx won the race 5 times between 1969 and 1975, earning the title “Mr. Liège-Bastogne-Liège.” His approach was typically to attack with more than 50 km remaining, using his overwhelming physical superiority to wear down his rivals.

Modern-Day Powerhouse

Tadej Pogačar has displayed dominant performances at LBL in recent years, showcasing the rise of an all-rounder from the younger generation.

Conclusion

LBL is the classic best suited for “pure climbers.” It rewards not cobblestone technique, but the ability to still explode on the final climb after repeated ascents. For spectators, it also offers the most drama—because even at the last climb, the outcome often remains uncertain.

Related Reading

• Belgian Cobbled Classic: The Wind and Mud of Ronde van Vlaanderen
• Unsupported Long-Distance Riding: The Century-Old Tradition of Randonneuring and Audax
• Classic Cycling Race Analysis: The Cobblestone Legend of Paris-Roubaix
• A Complete Analysis of Tactical Differences Between One-Day Classics and Stage Races