L.B.L.-The Grand Lady.

1972,

The Cannibal wipes his face after winning his

third L.B.L by beating Frans Verbeeck in a controversial finish!

Tomorrow will be the oldest classic, the 94th Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It's one of my favorite Monuments, dating far back to 1892. Great battles have been raged on the climbs (côtes) of this 261 km brute of a race. No surprise, as the Belgians' love their heroes, and Eddy Merckx is king with the record of 5 victories. The weather can be a factor, too. Snow and blizzard in 1972 & 1980 made the old lady a vicious one. Especially in 1980 where Hinault rode a tremendously brave race for a classic victory. We'll have to see if the Old Lady bites back again come Sunday. Then again, the weather may not play such a tumultuous role. But, I'm sure the race will be worthy of the great lady!

My prediction for Sundays grand classic: 1. Rebellin, 2. Evans, 3. Cunego, 4. F or A Schleck, 5. Valverde.

Merckx feeling it in 1972...

the weather was atrocious.

1969,

Merckx's first of five,

with help from teammate, Vic Van Schil.

The pair arrived in Rocourt nine minutes

in the lead!

Neige-Bastogne-Neige, 1980.

The Badger battles the cold, snow & the wind to win, perhaps, the toughest LBL. The temperature went below zero, Hinault completed this seven hour marathon with just shorts, a long-sleeved jersey, a pair of gloves and a balaclava for warmth.

His crushing performance breaking a high quality field is proof of his tenaciousness.

Of 174 starters, 21 manage to finish this grueling monument. He was nine minutes ahead of second place, Hennie Kuiper.

Afterwards the Badger said it best, "My greatest enemy was the cold!"

Kelly, 1984.

His first LBL win. The duct tape seems over the top but

give the Irishman a gold star for valor. A few weeks earlier, he had just won his first Paris-Roubaix!