evenepoel en pogacar botsen in het oude bos
Luik, zaterdag, 25 april 2026.
het wielervoorjaar houdt halt in de Ardennen. liège-bastogne-liège, het oudste monument, neemt zondag de ritmeesterrol over. remco evenepoel rijdt met een sterrenbezetting voor soudal quick-step. tadej pogacar is de grote rivaal. paul seixas voegt zich bij de topfavorieten. de laatste nederlandse zege was in 2016. dit jaar kijken alle ogen naar de prestaties van de nederlandse renners. julian alaphilippe ontbreekt wegens medische redenen. lenny martinez neemt bewust rust. de koers beslist vaak op de roche-aux-faucons of de redoute. spanning is tot het maximum gestegen.
the ardennes climax
liège-bastogne-liège marks the traditional close of the spring classics season. the 112th edition takes place on 25 april 2026 over a 261km parcours through southern belgium. key climbs include the côte de stockeu, col du rozier, côte de la redoute, and côte de la roche-aux-faucons. the race starts in liège and passes through bastogne before returning north. average speeds during decisive sections often reach 38km/h, demanding peak endurance. the event concludes in liège between 17:41 and 18:10 local time [4].
top contenders and absences
remco evenepoel leads soudal quick-step with six teammates: jai hindley, daniel felipe martinez, nico denz, finn fisher-black, jan tratnik, and haimar etxeberria [1][2]. despite strong form, julian alaphilippe withdraws due to medical reasons [1]. schaduwfavoriet lenny martinez skips the race for rest after finishing eighth on the muur van hoei earlier in the week [1][5]. tadej pogacar enters as favorite alongside evenepoel and rising star paul seixas [5].
strategic dynamics and team roles
red bull - bora - hansgrohe confirms its lineup via instagram, emphasizing cohesion ahead of the race [2]. tim wellens and rune herregodts support tadej pogacar [1]. lotto-intermarché places trust in lennert van eetvelt, while movistar names cian uijtdebroek as leader [1]. uno-x competes fully in black livery as part of a campaign initiative [1]. teamwork will prove crucial on the steep gradients of la redoute and roche-aux-faucons, where attacks typically unfold.
historical weight and national hopes
no dutch rider has won liège-bastogne-liège since 2016, placing extra attention on performances by wout van aert and other netherlands-based cyclists [5]. the last dutch victory came fifteen years ago, highlighting the dominance of belgian and slovenian riders in recent editions. eddy merckx’s legacy looms large, honored at the côte de stockeu with a dedicated stele [4]. the race remains the oldest of cycling’s five monuments, adding emotional gravity for participants aiming for immortality.