Remco Evenepoel dominates LiègeBastogne-Liège

Belgian sends a warning to his Giro d'Italia rivals

- Vern Pitt

World champion Remco Evenepoel left no one in any doubt that he is the favourite for the upcoming Giro d’Italia with a blistering win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday.

All eyes were on the defending champion as his Soudal-Quick Step team set the pace. But there was nothing that most of his rivals could do when his white shorts rose from the saddle and he attacked on La Redoute – the same climb he launched his winning bid on in 2022.

Brit Tom Pidcock was the only rider able to claw his way back on to Evenepoel’s wheel, then resolutely refused to take a turn as the world champion set the pace.

Pidcock picked off 

But as the gradient bit for a second time, Evenepoel left the Ineos captain in his wake. Now there was just 30km between him and the finish line, and with the chase behind fractured, there was little prospect of him being caught.

“This is a big boost ahead of the Giro d’Italia,” he said. “The recent altitude training camps went really well, and this victory, which shows that my form is there, 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 bibshorts. Now I have a nice picture to hang on the wall.”