To conclude the classics season, which saw him win a lot, Tadej Pogacar says he is ready to face Remco Evenepoel on the occasion of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with the desire to win again.
Tadej Pogacar intends to continue his momentum. Winner in quick succession of the Tour of Flanders, the Amstel Gold Race and La Flèche Wallonne, the Slovenian will be one of the favorites of Liège-Bastogne-Liège this Sunday. However, Remco Evenepoel will also be present with the fierce desire to offer “La Doyenne” for the second year in a row.
A duel at the top which many observers hope to witness this Sunday in the Belgian Ardennes… but which the leader of the UAE Team Emirates team, who hopes to win in the heart of Liège for the second time after his coronation in 2021, awaits also. “Finally, we rarely rode against each other, confided Tadej Pogacar during a press conference. I think we both have tremendous respect for each other. It will be interesting on Sunday. I hope we both have a good day, so that it’s a real race. »
Pre-#LBL press conference. #WeAreUAE pic.twitter.com/DhjAZdNjoA
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) April 21, 2023
Pogacar: “I never sprinted against Evenepoel”
If Remco Evenepoel also said that Tadej Pogacar was one of the main favorites for the last spring classic, the Belgian said he was not afraid to challenge the Slovenian in the sprint. An outcome for which the rider of the UAE Team Emirates team is also considering but with a lot of uncertainty. “I’ve never sprinted against Remco Evenepoel, so I don’t really know if he’s good at itsaid Tadej Pogacar. But I think he’s pretty quick, we saw that this year and last year. He has a very good ‘kick’. »
But what could make the difference between the two runners is their approach to racing. Indeed, while Remco Evenepoel heads for the Giro, Tadej Pogacar will then reserve for the Tour de France after a very intense spring. “We are not at the same point in our respective seasons, recalled the Slovenian. He arrives fresh and is focused on his big goal, the Giro, while I think of the rest period that will follow Liège. » Before that, an explanation is expected on a demanding course.
