“If I followed them, I would’ve blown up completely” - Evenepoel couldn't climb with Pogacar and Seixas; but had enough in the tank to join them on the podium

In a thrilling edition of Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Belgian Remco Evenepoel sealed the third place with mixed feelings. Up front, the dominance of Slovenian Tadej Pogacar and the breakout ride from Paul Seixas shaped the finale of a chaotic race from the opening kilometers.

Even so, Evenepoel was one of the day’s main protagonists, notably through his unexpected presence in an early move that built a four-minute lead. “The group was very big and I think we got away after about four kilometers or so. But yes, I was in around 30th position, so it’s not like I was jumping to make the break. I think it just split at some point and then, yes, I found myself in front. But yes, we were there by chance, it wasn’t the objective,” he began, speaking about that move.

Evenepoel himself admitted that situation was not part of the initial plan. The race, however, went full gas very early, and the Belgian adapted smartly. “So yes, once the gap reached two minutes or more, then I just had to save energy and make sure I got to the climbs as fresh as possible.”

He had Nico Denz with him, but Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe didn't have the men to keep the move going against a peloton led by both UAE and Decathlon. The advantage stretched to four minutes, forcing the favourites to react later than expected. Even so, the decisive climbs still made the difference.

Evenepoel could not afford to spend too much too early in terrain that didn't favour attacks, and ended up sitting in the group until the peloton reached back. There were fears that he had spent necessary bullets when he did not have the legs to follow the attack on the main climb of the day.

The key moment came on the iconic ascent of La Redoute, where Pogacar’s pace finally shattered the group. “It was very fast from the bottom. I think this year we positioned well as a team. I was at the front to hit the climb. But yes, they went very fast from the bottom and I felt that if I tried to follow, I’d completely blow up.”

Instead of panicking, Evenepoel chose a conservative strategy, mindful of his limits at that point. He was part of a large chasing group. “So it was about trying to find a good rhythm, stay with the group and make sure I could reach the last climb with something still in the legs. And then yes, I focused on the sprint.”

There were lots of attacks, first by him, whilst Jai Hindley's presence also allowed him to hide from the wind ahead of the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. He did not have the best legs there once again, but had the engine to keep a very high pace which got him to return to the fight for third place. Up front Tadej Pogacar and Paul Seixas had the first and second places sealed, but the final spot on the podium was still open.

“Once we reached the top, I wanted to catch Skjelmose to make sure we could go to the sprint, and then third place was probably my maximum today.” Despite all the attacks and an early sprint, his form was proven by the very strong dash to the line which saw him hold off his other rivals in the two-dozen big group.

“Yes, it seems it was another very long sprint today because we came back with speed against two riders who had attacked. So I launched from 300 metres because I felt I could lose momentum if I didn’t go, but I managed to hold it to the line. So yes, luckily it was another good sprint. So a pretty good day overall for us, I think.”