Although this marks Pellizzari's first experience of the senior Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Italian does have some knowledge from the junior editions. "I knew the roads a bit, having done the Ardennes Arrow with VF Group-Bardiani when I was under 23. I remembered a few climbs," he explains. "I expect it to be tough! Liège is a long race. I hope I don’t start with the best feelings…"
That's not a typo either, Pellizzari is really hoping he's not feeling his best at the startline. "Because the way I am, it is better to 'fly low'. If I am doing well, I end up getting too excited," he laughs. "While if I am forced to stay calmer, maybe I will be better in the final. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, the team has had a bit of bad luck in these classics, so let's try to give our best and we will see how it goes."
Obviously, the man to match for Pellizzari will be world champion
Tadej Pogacar, someone the Italian has already enjoyed battles with at the Giro d'Italia in 2024. "We know that Tadej will attack on the Redoute, or at least it seems obvious, so I imagine that someone will move," he previews, not ruling out attempting to follow any attacks from the UAE leader. "We’ll see. The stimulus, the desire on my part is always there, but sometimes you have to race more with your head than with your heart."
And as for his own goals? "We start to try to make a top ten, maybe a top five. The top would be a podium… We know that winning is difficult, but we try," the Italian concludes.