Mauri Vansevenant is our squad’s first rider home after a tough race.
The 133rd edition of Liège–Bastogne–Liège, cycling’s oldest Monument, brought to an end this year’s Spring Classics. As is always the case here, the menu consisted of eleven climbs and more than 4000 meters of elevation, but the favourites waited for the final 35 kilometers, and the steep gradients of La Redoute, to make a move.
Soudal Quick-Step was one of the teams to work behind the breakaway, which at one point had six minutes on the peloton, who quite easily brought them back. The bunch disintegrated on La Redoute, where Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) attacked and opened a gap that turned out to be decisive, the Slovenian taking the victory after almost six hours of racing.
Remco Evenepoel did his best to limit the damage after being distanced, and after a huge and impressive effort, he managed to join the second chasing group, who trailed four riders by 15 seconds. The lack of collaboration there meant they didn’t erase the deficit in the last 25 kilometers, despite having the numbers, and the large group was left to fight for the remaining places in the top ten. In the end, it was Mauri Vansevenant – just like last year – the one who rolled in as the best placed Soudal Quick-Step rider.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
