Remco Evenepoel Confident of Third Liège–Bastogne–Liège Win Amid Pogačar Challenge

Remco Evenepoel arrives at the 2026 Liège-Bastogne-Liège with renewed confidence following his victory at the Amstel Gold Race, positioning himself as a serious contender for a third title in one of cycling’s most demanding classics.

The Belgian rider, who won Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2021 and 2023, acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized his improved preparation compared to the previous year, when he finished 59th after struggling in the latter stages of the race.

Speaking ahead of the race, Evenepoel highlighted the importance of fresh legs, noting that he skipped La Flèche Wallonne to ensure he would be ready for the 260-kilometre challenge. “Fresh legs are everything,” he said. “The way races unfold now, you need to be ready from the first real move. I expect to last longer than I did last year. I’m starting with more confidence and in better shape.”

Evenepoel Acknowledges Pogacar as Clear Favorite

Despite his confidence, Evenepoel did not dispute Tadej Pogačar’s status as the race favourite, acknowledging the Slovenian’s dominance across the cycling calendar. “It’s logical that he’s the top favourite,” Evenepoel said. “He wins nearly every race he enters. That speaks for itself.”

Warns Against Overestimating Young Talent

Evenepoel also addressed the rising threat of 19-year-old French rider Paul Seixas, acknowledging his talent while cautioning against overestimating his readiness for the unique demands of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. “He has obviously never raced here before. He’s only 19 and it’s 260 kilometres. Tadej and I have a bit more endurance for races like this,” Evenepoel said.

He specifically warned that Seixas could struggle in the final stages of the race due to the jump in distance from typical junior and under-23 events. “We also shouldn’t be surprised if he struggles in the final hour. Racing for six hours is very different from racing for four. But he’s definitely among the top five contenders to go for the win here.”

Course Reconnaissance and Team Support

In the days leading up to the race, Evenepoel conducted a reconnaissance of key sections of the course, including the Côte de la Redoute, accompanied by teammate Maxim Van Gils. Van Gils, who suffered multiple injuries in a crash at the Clásica Jaén in February, joined Evenepoel despite his ongoing recovery.

Evenepoel’s preparation reflects a focused effort to overcome the shortcomings of his 2023 campaign, where a lack of endurance in the closing kilometres cost him a chance to defend his title.

With the Amstel Gold Race victory providing momentum and a clear assessment of the competition, Evenepoel enters Liège-Bastogne-Liège aiming to add a third win to his palmares in one of cycling’s oldest and most prestigious monuments.