“Remco’s not going to drop Pogacar - but the reverse is also true" - Oliver Naesen predicts Liege-Bastogne-Liege to be closely fought

This Sunday, Liege-Bastogne-Liege climaxes the Spring Classics, with a battle between Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel widely expected to decide the day. According to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team's Oliver Naesen, there really isn't much to separate the world champion and the Olympic champion.

One of the big reasons Naesen believes the pair are evenly matched is his compatriot Evenepoel's grit and determination. “It’s the fire with which he always races. And his level is just incredibly high. I think back to his attacks on La Redoute when he won. That wasn’t just attacking - that was sprinting,” Naesen recalls in conversation with Wieler Revue ahead of this Sunday's Monument battle in Liege. “Remco’s not going to drop Pogacar - but the reverse is also true. I honestly can’t imagine anyone climbing La Redoute any faster.”

Obviously, if Pogacar and Evenepoel can't be separated on the climbs, the race win could come down to a sprint between the pair. “If you can outsprint Wout van Aert like Remco did in the Brabantse Pijl, then you can beat anyone," Naesen says, again seeing positives for his compatriot. "But he can’t afford a miscalculation like in the Amstel. Starting a sprint from 300 meters out? That’s way too far. Even the best Marcel Kittel couldn’t have pulled that off. I’m sure Remco knows that by now.”

Unlike at the Amstel Gold Race though, Naesen isn't expecting a third wheel to infiltrate the Pogacar - Evenepoel battle like Mattias Skjelmose did last weekend. “If those two really kick it into gear, you’d have to anticipate earlier to still be with them after La Redoute," he previews. "Who’s going to be able - and willing - to do that?”

“Their teammates will have one job: to drop off their leader at the perfect moment. The finish line is essentially at the foot of La Redoute," concludes Naesen, assessing the Soudal - Quick-Step and UAE Team Emirates - XRG support roles. "Just try breaking away from there. And for riders aiming for a top ten finish, it’s too big a risk. If they reel you back in, you get passed in a flash. Goodbye top ten. See you next year.”