Sunday sees the final of the Spring Classics, the 94th edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege – which began in 1892 – when the riders tackle a 261km race in Belgium's Walloon region.

‘La Doyenne’ – the Grand Old Lady – 'the oldest' of the Classics races, has an impressive roll-call of winners in recent editions, a who's-who of professional cycling, albeit one which raises an eyebrow. Last year it was Danilo di Luca. Sure, the Italian Italian authorities had to clear him of doping but you get the feeling they just couldn't produce the smoking gun they needed. I mean why else would a top bike-racer have the hormonal profile of young child?

The year before it was a certain Alejandro Valverde, a guy I used to love watching but, let's face it, who's been off the boil since the swirl of allegations surrounding dodgy gynaecologists, blood bags and dogs' names. And the year before that it was Alexandre Vinokourov... 'nuff said. I could go back further - there was also that loveable American guy with the cute labrador and the chimeric twin - but I won't. Anyway, enough pessimism from me.

I'm not a complete idiot, but I believe the tide is turning and that we're finally seeing the emergence of a new generation, or at least a renaissance in attitudes. Sure, the marketing men aren't yet ready to go out and plaster top riders' faces over cereal packets but I believe we are seeing a trend caused by the sport cleaning up.

The evidence?

How about a topsy-turvy Paris-Nice, where no rider or team dominated? And great wins by the likes of Philippe Gilbert and Sylvain Chavanel. I do hope the future doesn't prove me a naïve fool.

So, back to L-B-L... who'll win on Sunday? Well, last week Damiano Cunego looked class in the Amstel Gold. On Wednesday, Kim Kirchen rode a very smart race in La Fleche Wallonne and had great legs on the Mur de Huy, the kind of legs that win races like La Doyenne.

It could be either of these two, and bear in mind that half of Luxembourg will cross the border to support Kirchen, who's already won the amateur version of L-B-L.

But I reckon it’s wide open, as there have also been some consistent performers in the Classics who've not made the podium. I like to believe every dog has his day, who do you think it will be?

And there are four ‘Brits’ riding: Steve Cummings and Chris Froome (who’s Kenyan but now has a British cycling licence) ride for Barloworld, Ed Clancy for Landbouwkrediet and David Millar for Slipstream.