Like many of cycling's classics, Liège–Bastogne–Liège was first organized by a French-Belgian newspaper (L'Express).
The route has always stayed in the southern, French-speaking (and hillier), part of Belgium where Liège and Bastogne are located.

The race had its first running for amateurs in 1892, from Spa to Bastogne and back, over a 250 km distance.
As bicycles were expensive in the late 19th century, cycling was considered an exclusive sport for the wealthy, and the event was considered a "gentlemen's affair".
33 riders from the Liège cycling union and the Pesant Club Liégois, all Belgians and most of them from Liège, took the start.
Only 17 finished.
The course halfway turn point was the train station in Bastogne, chosen because of its convenience for race officials.
Some tired riders abandoned the race in Bastogne and took the train back to Spa.
Léon Houa, a Liège native, won the race after 10 hours and 48 minutes on the bike.
The second-place finisher, Léon Lhoest, came in at 22 minutes, the third, Louis Rasquinet, at 44 minutes.
Riders kept arriving for another five hours.

Houa won again the next year, over the same course, this time by a margin of a half hour.
In 1894 the first race for professionals was held, and the average speed rose from 23.3 km/h (14.5 mph) to 25 km/h (16 mph).
Houa concluded his third win, by seven minutes over Rasquinet.
Frenchman Maurice Garin, who would later become the first winner of the Tour de France, finished fourth.
After the inaugural three editions, the race was not organized for another 14 years, after which it was sometimes open only to amateurs and semi-professionals.

The race was resumed in 1908, with a start and finish in Liège for the first time.
It was won by Frenchman André Trousselier.
In 1909 the winner, Eugène Charlier, was disqualified because he had changed bikes.
Victor Fastre was declared winner.
The event was cancelled during World War I but resumed in 1919.
The race was mainly won by Belgians, but started to attract more riders from Flanders, the bike-crazed northern part of Belgium, who began to dominate the event.
Fleming Alfons Schepers gained three victories in the Interwar period.
Like many of cycling's classics, Liège–Bastogne–Liège was first organized by a French-Belgian newspaper (L'Express). The route has always stayed in the southern, French-speaking (and hillier), part of Belgium where Liège and Bastogne are located.
The race had its first running for amateurs in 1892, from Spa to Bastogne and back, over a 250 km distance. As bicycles were expensive in the late 19th century, cycling was considered an exclusive sport for the wealthy, and the event was considered a "gentlemen's affair". 33 riders from the Liège cycling union and the Pesant Club Liégois, all Belgians and most of them from Liège, took the start. Only 17 finished. The course halfway turn point was the train station in Bastogne, chosen because of its convenience for race officials. Some tired riders abandoned the race in Bastogne and took the train back to Spa. Léon Houa, a Liège native, won the race after 10 hours and 48 minutes on the bike. The second-place finisher, Léon Lhoest, came in at 22 minutes, the third, Louis Rasquinet, at 44 minutes. Riders kept arriving for another five hours.
Houa won again the next year, over the same course, this time by a margin of a half hour. In 1894 the first race for professionals was held, and the average speed rose from 23.3 km/h (14.5 mph) to 25 km/h (16 mph). Houa concluded his third win, by seven minutes over Rasquinet. Frenchman Maurice Garin, who would later become the first winner of the Tour de France, finished fourth. After the inaugural three editions, the race was not organized for another 14 years, after which it was sometimes open only to amateurs and semi-professionals.
The race was resumed in 1908, with a start and finish in Liège for the first time. It was won by Frenchman André Trousselier. In 1909 the winner, Eugène Charlier, was disqualified because he had changed bikes. Victor Fastre was declared winner. The event was cancelled during World War I but resumed in 1919. The race was mainly won by Belgians, but started to attract more riders from Flanders, the bike-crazed northern part of Belgium, who began to dominate the event. Fleming Alfons Schepers gained three victories in the Interwar period.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège