Remco Evenepoel has hardly put a foot wrong since making a triumphant return to racing at Brabantse Pijl earlier this month. At
Liege-Bastogne-Liege however, this lack of race fitness perhaps made a difference for the first time as the Olympic champion exploded way out of race winning contention at the Ardennes Monument.
All the talk pre-race had been about an Evenepoel dual with
Tadej Pogacar. At the line however, 3:11 separated the two superstars with the
Soudal - Quick-Step leader finishing 59th as his rival took the win. “Races like this don’t lie,” admitted the Soudal Quick-Step team leader, in his immediate post-race interview afterwards, revealing he was struggling early, which led to him being out of position when Pogacar attacked on La Redoute. “If you’re feeling good, you’re always up front.”