Team Emirates' Pogacar faces defiant Evenepoel at Liege-Bastogne-Liege

Remco Evenepoel has vowed to tame defending champion Tadej Pogacar at cycling’s undulating Ardennes forest odyssey, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, on Sunday.

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Between them the pair have won the past four editions of the 252km Monument first raced in 1892.

A passionate and daring racing style has made the 26-year-old Slovenian Pogacar cycling's most exciting asset, never faltering when accepting new challenges.

In the 111th edition of Sunday's slog through winding forest lanes, UAE Team Emirates-XRG star Pogacar faces a huge challenge against double Olympic champion and local hero Evenepoel, recently returned from injuries sustained when a postal van opened a door on him.

"I should be able to beat him, that’s what my team pay me for,” said the 25-year-old Belgian this week.

Pogacar managed to drop Evenepoel at La Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday on the steepest part of the final climb. Evenepoel said he had taken off a rain jacket too soon and was cold.

“It was a good team result and we expect something similar at Liege,” said the affable Team UAE rider Pogacar at the finish.

His face however told another story as it was etched with fatigue.