| 1st Edition of "Le Doyenne" Goes to Leon Houa
The oldest of the “5 monuments of cycling” has appeared on the racing calendar since 1892. Liege-Bastogne-Liege (called La Doyanne, the old lady) will progress slowly through three decades to obtain its status as a great international racing classic.
The 1st edition was held for amateurs only and came directly from the successes of Bordeaux-Paris (May 23, 1891) and Paris-Brest-Paris (September 26, 1891). The first thought of L-B-L came when Heavy Club Inhabitant of Liège and Liege Cyclist's Union (LCU) decided to set up the race as a test for the proposed Liege-Paris-Liege. That marathon of a race would never get off the ground.
Leon Houa at Liege-Bastogne-Liege
The first edition of L-B-L began in the center of Liege with thirty-three riders with their ‘derny pacers’ coming to the starting line.
Belgian Leon Houa dominated the race, slowly dropping breakaway partners Leon Lhoest and Louis Rasquinet before the turn-around in Bastogne. Houa finished the racecourse in 10 hours 48 minutes and 36 seconds, 22’00” ahead of Leon Lhoest (Bel), to become the first Liege-Bastogne-Liege champion.
L-B-L May 29, 1892 |
250 Km, L-B-L (Spa-Bastogne-Spa)
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1. Leon HOUA (Bel) 10h48'36" |
2. Leon Lhoest (Bel) +22'00" |
3. Louis Rasquinet (Bel) +44'00" |
Starters: 33 (with pacers) / Finishers: 17 Ave Speed: 23.322 km/h |
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L-B-L 1893
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