20/04/2023

Julian Alaphilippe returns to competition as Remco Evenepoel confirmed to lead Soudal - Quick-Step at Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Remco Evenepoel has soared to the win at the 2022 Liège-Bastogne-Liège and he will now return to pin the number 1 on his back and attempt to defend his title. The World Champion has had here a win that unlocked his full potential, and he will be going head-to-head with Tadej Pogacar in the fourth monument of the season.

“Liège–Bastogne–Liège was special last season. I came at the start without too many expectations, but we had a plan – and that was to go for the win – which we executed perfectly," Evenepoel said in a press release. "For sure, the crash in the bunch that took out two of my teammates wasn’t ideal for us, but we found a way to handle that stressful moment and we remained focused on our goal. That victory was the biggest of my career at that point, a moment I’ll never forget."

"If there is one person from whom we can expect a counterweight to Pogacar, it is Evenepoel" - José de Cauwer

Evenepoel will come supported by a strong team, featuring Julian Alaphilippe who returns from injury and Louis Vervaeke who was on the attack at Flèche Wallone only to be caught at the Mur de Huy. The team also features Ilan van Wilder and Pieter Serry who will join the Belgian at the Giro d'Italia as well, and is completed by puncheur duo Andrea Bagioli and Mauro Schmid who could on their best day be in the fight for a top result as well.

“Remco comes here from an altitude training camp and will be very motivated, especially as he will be present at the start as the defending champion and owner of the rainbow jersey," DS Geert van Bondt added. "He can count on good teammates, who have a strong condition, and this makes us confident. We will see what role Julian will have; he knows the course and this race suits him perfectly, and the most important thing is that he can now train pain-free and be at the start. We’ll also need to see if the wind and the rain expected on Sunday can influence the race, but as we said, the confidence is there”