Soudal Quick-Step’s rider thrills an entire nation with another majestic display of dominance.
He had to wait a couple of months for it to happen, but Remco Evenepoel finally got his winning picture in the coveted rainbow jersey. Just like last year, the Belgian arrived alone at the finish of Liège–Bastogne–Liège – this time with an even bigger gap on his opponents – after another huge exhibition of panache on the roads of cycling’s oldest Monument, adding further sheen to an already glistening reputation.
All eyes were on Remco Sunday afternoon, and the 23-year-old didn’t disappoint in his first outing since the Volta a Catalunya. As expected, Soudal Quick-Step controlled the peloton much of the day, the entire squad working tirelessly for the World Champion until he decided to make his big move.
Unsurprisingly, this came with more than 30 kilometers to go on La Redoute, the same place he went clear last year, when he won the race on his debut. Evenepoel surged away from the depleted field just before the top, but took a cautious approach on the descent, which allowed one rider to join him. It was only for a brief moment though, as on the unclassified Côte de Cornemont, which came next, he rode him off his wheel and was never seen again.
Remco powered through the rain, while behind a regrouping took place, but despite having the numbers the group didn’t stand a chance, as Soudal Quick-Step’s World Champion kept riding imperiously and increasing his lead on the streets of Liège, which roared with applause. At the finish, where he had more than a minute on the chasers, Evenepoel became the first holder of the rainbow jersey since 1987 to win Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the first rider in 25 years to take back-to-back victories here.
I’m really happy! Winning this Monument in this jersey is unbelievable.
“I’m super grateful for the incredible amount of work my teammates did today, this was the plan and we executed it perfectly. It wasn’t an easy race, but they controlled it from the start, keeping the gap of the breakaway in check and bringing back the escapees before La Redoute. Ilan rode a hard pace from the bottom of the climb, and then I knew if I went that not a lot would be able to follow. In the end, only Pidcock could do it, but not for so long, so our plan worked out well. It was risky because of the rain which made the roads slippery, but I remained calm and focused.”
“This is a big boost ahead of the Giro d’Italia. The recent altitude training camps went really well, and this victory, which shows that my form is there and feeds my confidence. I’m happy also for taking the victory in all-white today. Together with the team we wanted to do something special, so we decided to go for the white bib shorts. Now I have a nice picture to hang on the wall. It’s a big win for us, we’re going to celebrate it, and afterwards I’ll try to recover well and continue my preparations for the next goal”, Remco said after signing off The Wolfpack’s 22nd victory in a Monument.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
