12 climbs to destiny

Yes, Davide Rebellin completed his historic sweep of the Ardennes classics one year ago, but two others have also won the Amstel Gold and the Fleche Wallonne (albeit not all in the same year). There's no points for guessing that one of them is Eddy Merckx, who won a record five times in Liège between 1969 and 1975. The other is Bernard Hinault.

While there have been 57 wins for Belgium, the most by far of any nationality, the last dates back to Frank Vandenbroucke's win in 1999. Italians come second with eleven wins, including nine in the last two decades. If Danilo Di Luca emulates his compatriot with a sweep on Sunday, that would make it six times in nine years.

1995: Mauro Gianetti (SUI)1996: Pascal Richard (SUI)1997: Michele Bartoli (ITA)1998: Michele Bartoli (ITA)1999: Frank Vandenbroucke (BEL)2000: Paolo Bettini (ITA)2001: Oscar Camenzind (SUI)2002: Paolo Bettini (ITA)2003: Tyler Hamilton (USA)2004: Davide Rebellin (ITA)

Km 57,5 Côte de Ny - 1,8 km climb at 6.2%Km 82,5 Côte de la Roche-en-Ardenne - 2,9 km climb at 5.9%Km 128,5 Côte de Saint-Roch - 1 km climb at 11,2%

Km 171 Côte de Wanne - 2,2 km climb at 7.7%Km 177,5 Côte de Stockeu - 1,1 km climb at 11.6%Km 183 Côte de la Haute-Levée - 3,4 km climb at 6%Km 195,5 Côte du Rosier - 3,9 km climb at 6.3%Km 208 Côte de la Vecquée - 3,2 km climb at 6.2%Km 225 Côte de la Redoute - 2,3 km à 7.4%Km 231 Côte de Sprimont - 1,5 km climb at 5%Km 246 Côte de Sart-Tilman-Tilff - 3,7 km climb at 5.9%Km 254,5: Côte de Saint-Nicolas - 0,9 km climb at 11%