Bernard Hinault’s iconic Liège Bastogne-Liège victory (1980)

Bernard Hinault's victory at the 1980 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, held on 20 April, is one of the most iconic moments in road cycling history. The race was held under brutal conditions, with freezing temperatures, relentless snow, and fierce winds transforming the event into a grueling test of endurance and sheer willpower. It would become one of the most legendary performances of Hinault's illustrious career.

That year's edition of the "La Doyenne," the oldest of cycling's Monuments, was unlike any before it. As riders tackled the challenging Ardennes terrain, a snowstorm engulfed the race, creating near-impossible conditions. Many competitors, unable to cope with the biting cold and treacherous roads, abandoned early, with only 21 of 174 starters managing to finish the race.

The event started in a raging snow storm already. After an hour of riding, only 60 (from 174) cyclists were still in the race. Even Bernard Hinault was about to abandon it. When Maurice Le Guilloux, his only remaining teammate later recalled the situation, he described Hinault’s state of mind like as captain of a sinking ship. He wanted to be the last rider of his Renault-Gitane team to give up the race. But Le Guilloux was still there, thus Hinault continued riding too.
It was already in the road back from Bastogne when the intensity of snowing eased a bit and even the sun came out for a little while, when Hinault’s race really began.

At this point Rudy Pevenage was riding at the heaf of the race. Between him and Hinault there were other riders ( Ludo Peeter, Silvano Contini,and Henk Lubberdin) too. Hinault’s plan was to ride in a strong group at the front, while making impossible for others to join them from the peloton.

But with 80 km to go, Hinault found himself at the front of the race alone.

He arrived in Liège after a 7 hour ride. The second rider, Hennie Kuiper came nine and half minutes later.

In 2025, Liège-Bastogne-Liège will be held on  27 April