La Doyene: Andre Trousselier

From its inception in 1892, right on up to 1978, Liege-Bastogne-Liege was dominated by Belgian riders. During that great span of time only nine racers from other nations were able to add their names to the roster of champions. The first of those foreign riders was Frenchman, Andre Trousselier who, in 1908, was best over the cotes and cobbles of the Belgian countryside. Trousselier covered two-hundred thirty-five kilometers in eight hours twelve minutes, for an average speed of more than twenty-eight kilometers per hour. Thirty-eight racers out of sixty starters finished the race. 

The distinction of being the first foreign rider to win L-B-L will last for history; the distinction of being the only foreign victor lasted until 1930, when he was joined by German, Hermann Buse. The 1908 race was significant for another reason as well - it was the first edition to be raced by professional cyclists, rather than amateurs.

La Doyene was the lone major victory for Andre Trousselier during his career. Andre was one of five racing brothers and, keeping things in the family, his brother Louis, won both the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix in 1905, and tied up a string of other victories between that year and 1908.