Remco Evenepoel claimed back-to-back wins within the Liege-Bastogne-Liege with a surprising solo experience to victory whereas Tadej Pogacar was compelled to desert the race after fracturing his wrist in a crash.
Evenepoel first attacked with about 34km left with Ineos Grenadiers’ Tom Pidcock becoming a member of him on the entrance. But Evenepoel attacked once more on the subsequent climb to go away the Briton behind with 30 km to go.
Despite the rain and moist roads, Evenepoel seemed like he was in his aspect and he reached the highest of Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, the ultimate climb, with a lead of 1 minute and 18 seconds.
As the 23-year-old completed his last descent, he was already celebrating his win with the Soudal Quick-Step automobile earlier than he crossed the end line to change into the primary rider to win the race in consecutive years since Michele Bartoli in 1998.
“It was a difficult race, with the rain the roads were quite slippery. My back wheel went a bit like it did last year (on a turn),” Evenepoel mentioned.
“But we stayed calm, handled it well and stuck to our plan, which was to attack after La Redoute and I knew I should go for it on the new unclassified climb. That was where I had to create the biggest difference on the chasers.”
The world champion, sporting primary on his rainbow jersey, urged the gang to lift the amount as he crossed the end line together with his arms outstretched.
“Winning with this beautiful jersey is wonderful. I said I wanted the picture with the jersey to put in my bedroom,” Evenepoel added.
Pidcock completed second after beating Santiago Buitrago in a dash to the end, greater than a minute behind Evenepoel, whereas Ben Healy was fourth.
Pidcock mentioned he didn’t danger chasing Evenepoel on the final assault as he was fearful about operating out of steam and dropping a podium place.
“I was on the limit and I knew I could either commit full gas and maybe end up with nothing or wait a bit and try and go for second and I still got second. So I think the plan paid off,” he mentioned.
⚡️ 🇧🇪@EvenepoelRemco en remet une et half en solitaire !
⚡️ 🇧🇪@EvenepoelRemco assaults once more and goes solo! #LBL pic.twitter.com/D2ccJbk4od
— Liège-Bastogne-Liège (@LiegeBastogneL) April 23, 2023
