"The results are correct but quite frustrating" - Mixed feelings for Valentin Madouas after fifth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Valentin Madouas has ridden under the radar until Liège-Bastogne-Liège and even at La Doyenne he wasn't in the spotlight much. Yet a fifth place has seen a successful race for the Frenchman who attacked at the right time from behind, but had mixed feelings following the race.

"We ran into a much stronger rider than us," Madouas said in a post-race interview, referring to Remco Evenepoel. "Behind, it was very tactical for the podium. It's a great performance. I couldn't do much better. The race was worn out, we saw that it was a difficult race today. The Soudal Quick-Step made a big tempo. I wanted to try to anticipate in the side of Wanne , but when I saw that behind there was a big steamroller, I got up."

Madouas didn't have the opportunity to anticipate the attack of Evenepoel without burning his chances, so when the race exploded he found himself in one of the chasing groups. Many riders attacked in the kilometers that followed on the ascents whilst Madouas attempted to survive behind. With David Gaudu suffering from allergies the lead of Groupama - FDJ was in his hands.

"I then concentrated to stay well placed and keep strength for the final. In La Redoute I managed, I knew that It was going to regroup, we had to give everything in the Roche-aux-Faucons. I almost regret not having made the jump on the counter in the false flat after the Roche, because I had good feelings," he continued.

However in the run-up to the finish he made the right decision, attacking at the right moment alongside Guillaume Martin en route to fighting for the final place in the Top5. "Afterwards we left together with Guillaume (Martin), we went out at the right time." He had the best legs in what was left of a sprint between the two, rolling through in fifth place to conclude a spring campaign where he also finished second at Strade Bianche and eighth at the E3 Saxo Classic.

"The results are correct but quite frustrating. I fall several times, I make good comebacks, I'm not far from winning. But 5th in Liège, it's very positive to conclude, my best result here. Now we're going recover and work very hard to help David Gaudu make the Tour de France podium," he concluded.