Closing the curtain on the spring classics is the oldest monument race: with 110 editions so far, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege is known as the Doyenne. It is also considered the toughest, an adjective shared with the Lombardy that closes the season. Shorter compared to a year ago, it concentrates the climbs in the second part of its 252 kilometers: in the final hundred kilometers, nine of the eleven planned côtes are located, the most challenging ones. A classic route, with traditional key points: La Redoute at 34 kilometers from the finish and Roche-aux-Faucons at 13 kilometers decide who deserves to enter the golden book. Where there is enough Italy: with 12 victories, our cycling is the most successful behind the Belgian dominators, at 61. Among the multiple winners, Argentin with four victories is second only to Merckx's quintet, Bartoli and Bettini have won twice. A double also for Pogacar and Evenepoel, who have shared the last four editions without a direct confrontation: absences or crashes prevented it. Here are the ten faces that can wave at the top of the Doyenne's podium.

Tadej Pogacar. He wins because this is the spring classic he loves the most, because this year in one-day races he has never finished outside the top three, because the duel with Evenepoel stimulates him. He doesn't win because his tendency to overdo has already cost him dearly on a couple of occasions.

Remco Evenepoel. He wins because this is the spring classic he loves the most, because the two times he has raced it he has always won, because the duel with Pogacar stimulates him. He doesn't win because he has only three days of racing in his legs and this could take away some of his brilliance.

Mattias Skjelmose. He wins because he has focused his spring on this race, because at the Amstel he understood he can beat Pogacar and Evenepoel, because he has the qualities to make it. He doesn't win because the crash at the Arrow could affect his teammate Nys.

Tom Pidcock. He wins because this year he has been a protagonist in all the classics, because two years ago he finished second in this race, because he is good at riding in the slipstream. He doesn't win because he started strong already in February and the reserve light might start blinking.

Tiesj Benoot. He wins because in the Northern races this year he has always been at the front, because in this classic he has always been among the best, because he can save Visma's joyless spring. He doesn't win because being good at placing is not the same as having the strength to win.

Davide Formolo. He wins because he is the Italian who has performed best in the Ardennes this year, because on this finish line he has collected a second and a seventh place, because he is a man for tough routes. He doesn't win because compared to the big guns he lacks something and might have to help Mas.

Romain Bardet. He wins because this is the classic where he has obtained the best results, because last year he surrendered only to Pogacar, because at the Tour of the Alps he consistently rode in the top ten. He doesn't win because there is always someone who has more explosiveness on short climbs.

Maxim Van Gils. He wins because he is among the most suited to this race, because in the two editions he has raced he has always been a protagonist, because he must repay the team's trust given to him in the Northern races. He doesn't win because in the classics that matter this year he has shown no sign of himself.

Santiago Buitrago. He wins because he is perfectly suited to the toughest races, because he has already been on the podium of this classic two years ago, because in the other two Ardennes races he appeared to be improving. He doesn't win because compared to the best he lacks that touch of strength to compete on equal terms.

Valentin Madouas. He wins because he has a feeling with this race, because in the last two editions he remained with the strongest, because he does not fear the hard race. He doesn't win because so far in the classics he has been below par and compared to him, his teammate Gregoire and Vauquelin have appeared to be the most in-form French riders.