"I think Tadej Pogacar will attack early to fight Mathieu van der Poel" - Valentin Madouas anticipates battle of titans in Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Valentin Madouas was fifth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège last year. It will not be easy to repeat that result with the very strong competition at the start this year, but the Groupama - FDJ rider anticipates what could be a fight between Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel for the victory.

"As a team we are working on a good classic campaign, in which I also feel fine. I finished top fifteen in the Flèche Wallonne and Amstel Gold Race and I am now coming back to Liège to do better than my fifth place last year," Madouas said in the pre-race press conference. "If I can end this part of the season with a podium finish, that would be great."

Madouas races alongside David Gaudu and youngster Romain Grégoire in search of a result this Sunday for the French team, and after a sixth spot in Amstel Gold Race, has confirmed the good form. He is a fan of the long distance races, and after a very modest spring it is possible that he's close to achieving his best level. Victory will always be a very tough ask, he believes also that the main favourites will want to attack the race early on.

"I think UAE-Team Emirates will make the race hard early and then I think Tadej Pogacar will attack early to fight Mathieu van der Poel," Madouas says, believing the Slovenian will not want to be anticipated. Madouas could certainly try and take the opportunity if that does not happen however. "We are going to do everything we can to compete with those men."