Thomas De Gendt foresees Remco Evenepoel usurping Tadej Pogacar at Liège-Bastogne-Liège: “He has scared a lot of colleagues”

At the Amstel Gold Race, fans witnessed the first clash of the 2025 season between Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, and it didn’t disappoint. In a rare display of vulnerability from the Slovenian, Evenepoel managed what no other rider could: he reeled back one of Pogacar’s trademark solo attacks. But despite their duel, it was Mattias Skjelmose who delivered the shock, outsprinting both to win the race.

With Mathieu van der Poel no longer in the Spring mix, having beaten Pogacar to victories at Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, the road is clearer for Pogacar now. He did claim the Tour of Flanders, but now faces his final Spring Monument test: Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where a familiar rival awaits.

Both Pogacar and Evenepoel have already won the race twice. In fact, the duo have won the race for the past 4 years, dating back to Primoz Roglic winning in 2020. But, the two have never faced off in Liege for victory against each other, as there have always been injuries or extenuating circumstances involved stopping one of the rivals from competing.

Before that, however, comes La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday. Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Thomas De Gendt previewed the looming showdown and speculated whether the effects of a demanding spring are beginning to catch up with Pogacar.

"Oh, I think that's a dangerous statement, haha. I think it's true because Paris-Roubaix probably did more harm than good to his condition. That race is an assault on the body. Moreover, in Roubaix they started the final very early again," he said.

"When I hear what values they have pedaled, then I know enough. Mathieu is now on holiday, Tadej probably needed a few days to recover. His condition last Sunday was not good enough for the solo he started."

Still, De Gendt isn’t ruling out a rebound, "I do not rule out that Tadej will improve again towards Liège. In principle, it cannot happen at the end of an eight-week period, but what is normal with someone like Tadej?"

As for the favourite this Sunday, De Gendt sees the momentum shifting toward Evenepoel, "He has the freshness and the hunger to win. His form is already improving. And by beating Wout in the sprint in the Brabantse Pijl, he has scared a lot of colleagues."

"Remco can go to the finish with many riders, he will beat them. So if you want to win, you have to ride away from Remco. On the steep climbs, such as Roche-aux-Faucons, Tadej still has the advantage, but they are not long enough for him to create a definitive gap."