“Everybody knows La Redoute is where the race is decided...” – Remco Evenepoel signals where Tadej Pogacar must be followed in Liège
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel arrives at Liège-Bastogne-Liège with a clear picture of how Sunday’s Monument is likely to unfold, mapping out both where the race will open and where it will ultimately be decided.
Speaking in conversation with Cycling Pro Net ahead of the start, the Belgian expects the intensity to build well before the decisive climbs.
“I just hope it will be pretty hard once we hit the first climb,” he explained. “From around 94 kilometres to go, the race should start to get harder and open up.”
That gradual increase in pressure typically funnels the race towards its defining moment on La Redoute, a point Evenepoel believes will once again prove decisive. “Everybody knows La Redoute is usually where the race is decided… I don’t really see another scenario this year.”
Familiar roads, familiar support
Evenepoel’s connection to the race goes beyond results. “Yeah, I don’t know. It feels like here in Wallonia there are always a lot of fans of mine,” he said. “I also like this area a lot to race and to train, so I think maybe it’s a bit of a combination.”
That familiarity with the roads and conditions is often seen as an advantage in a race where positioning and local knowledge can prove decisive.
His preparation has been deliberately structured following his Amstel Gold Race victory, with a clear focus on arriving fresh for Liège. “Of course Monday and Tuesday I had two really easy days. Then Wednesday I rode a little bit more, but not at high intensity. That’s why we wanted to skip Flèche. Then Thursday I had the last good intensity training. So normally everything should be good to go for tomorrow.”
That decision to skip Flèche Wallonne was part of a wider plan to prioritise condition for the longer and more demanding Monument.
Remco Evenepoel during recon for Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2026
The Pogacar moment
That familiar pattern brings the focus back to Tadej Pogacar, whose attacks on La Redoute have shaped the modern race. For Evenepoel, the key is not just the climb itself, but being in position when the decisive move comes. “After that, it’s up to me to have the legs, race smart, and try to go for it.”
With riders like Paul Seixas also entering the equation, the question of who can respond at that moment is expected to define the race.
Conditions could also influence how that moment plays out. “Yeah, exactly. I think the only part of proper tailwind is going to be after that, and then we’ll have tailwind for a while, so that part should be pretty fast.”
With more of a headwind expected elsewhere in the finale, timing and positioning could become even more critical in the lead-up to the decisive climb.
One moment that defines everything
Liège-Bastogne-Liège remains one of the most demanding races on the calendar, but its outcome often comes down to a single, well-timed move.
Evenepoel has already made clear where that moment is likely to come. The question now is who will be able to respond when it does.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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