"There will be a huge number of critics who make another podcast and say that Pogačar has fallen" - Patrick Lefevere doesn't see Soudal-Quick-Step getting the credit they deserve following Liege-Bastogne-Liege

Following Remco Evenepoel's stunning victory at Liege-Bastogne-Liege saved a disappointing spring for Soudal - Quick-Step, Patrick Lefevere has expressed his belief that the so-called experts will say they only won due to Tadej Pogacar's unfortunate crash.

"There will be a huge number of critics who make another podcast, and then say that Pogačar has fallen," the Soudal-Quick-Step boss tells Sporza. "Last year we also had a difficult spring, and now we are here again. He wins again and this was an announced victory. This was the plan, on top of the Redoubt. We had thoroughly explored that new piece, and yes, this was actually planned."

Whilst it's true, Tadej Pogacar's crash which has seen him require surgery for a fractured left wrist did take something away from Liege-Bastogne-Liege, denying fans the chance to see the hotly anticipated battle between Pogacar and Evenepoel, surely nothing can be taken away from the sheer brilliance of the Belgian, world road race champion's victory.

"Those men trained on Mount Teide for three weeks. People don't always see that, but they've only been home for four days due to training camps, altitude training and competitions. That's the new trend, and I don't think it's going to change," Lefevere continues. "This is a huge boost. You always want confirmation. You know you've trained well, but you still want confirmation of what you feel."