Kévin Vauquelin: "With Pogacar the big favorite, it's going to be a tough day physically rather than being tactical"

Kévin Vauquelin rode to second place at Flèche Wallonne where he was very close to a breakthrough victory. The Arkéa - B&B Hotels rider is carrying tremendous form and is heading into Liège-Bastogne-Liège as a very dangerous wildcard. He believes Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates will dictate what happens in the day.

“It’s a satisfaction to have managed to secure a podium on one of the three Ardennes. With a clear head, it’s a result which feels good, which shows that the preparation was pretty good," Vauquelin said ahead of the race. "We managed to rest, we still did the reconnaissance of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. We did the massages and we try to stay a little calm." Everything set for a difficult day of racing where Vauquelin hopes for a strong result.

The Frenchman also handled the cold very well this Wednesday and could be a threat if he has the same sensations. He doesn't believe that it will be possible to anticipate Pogacar as UAE will want to make a difficult race to wear out the puncheurs. "I think it's a scenario that we have. we can't do it in advance, but given the UAE team for example, with Pogacar the big favorite, it's going to be a tough day physically rather than being tactical, given the length of the race."

"I think that what will be important is the placement on the different successive bumps and then afterward, see where I am at the level of the legs and see if the Flèche Wallonne has not remained too much," he concluded.