Pidcock saw Pogacar's unusual move, Alaphilippe 58th after cramps, Velasco takes a big step forward

After Pogacar's decisive attack on the Redoute, Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) formed the first chasing group with Julian Alaphilippe, Giulio Ciccone, and Ben Healy. "Pogacar went so early," Pidcock told Cycling Pro Net about the world champion's attack on the Redoute. The multiple mountain bike world champion said it was unusual. "Normally, we kick at the bottom, then it settles a little bit, and then we go again."

Although Pidcock didn't have the legs to follow Pogacar, he was confident of securing one of the other podium places. "I felt super good in the chasing group at first, but I didn't let myself recover enough." That broke Pidcock on the Roche-aux-Faucons, when Ciccone made an explosive breakaway that only Healy could respond to. "I'm disappointed about that," said Pidcock. "I had good legs, but I couldn't go again," he concluded his brief reaction.

Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) was initially also in the group with Pidcock. The French puncher showed his former top form on the Redoute. However, like Pidcock, Alaphilippe also had to drop back when Ciccone attacked the Roche-aux-Faucons. Unlike the British rider, however, Alaphilippe completely collapsed, finishing only 58th in Liège.

The result starkly contrasts Alaphilippe's remarkable performance in the final. The Frenchman explained his complete collapse on the final climb to Cyclism'Actu. "I don't regret how I raced. I felt good all day, but I was at my limit after La Redoute. I tried to keep up with Ciccone, Pidcock, and Healy and push on at the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, but it was tough, and I got cramps. I couldn't go on, so I have no regrets,” said Alaphilippe, who says he is improving. ”It's encouraging to be at this level and feel strong."

Alaphilippe also felt supported by a strong team. "The team did a fantastic job. We stayed focused, rode at the front, and in the end, the results depend on your legs," he said realistically. However, Alaphilippe is left empty-handed after the spring. A 20th place in the Amstel Gold Race was his best result in the big races in April. "Of course, it's disappointing that I didn't get a good result. Especially since the first part of my season is almost over. But I have to stay patient. I've always given everything and raced with heart and soul. Sometimes it's just the legs," concludes Alaphilippe, who will be back in action on May 1 in Eschborn-Frankfurt, a race that should suit him well on paper.

Simone Velasco won the sprint for fourth place on behalf of XDS Astana, somewhat surprisingly. The explosive Italian beat Thibau Nys, among others. Velasco already showed his form this spring, with an eighth place in the Tour of the Basque Country, but a fourth place in a Monument, which is in a different league altogether. "I am very happy with my result," Velasco said in a reaction on the team website. "I am very happy with my result, it is a big step for me to be fourth, so close to the podium in a Monumental Classic like Liège–Bastogne–Liège."

Velasco's performance is even more impressive when you consider that he had mechanical problems at a crucial moment in the race. "It was a super hard race, and some bad luck made it even harder: I got a mechanical just before La Redoute and was able to catch the last wheel of the group at the start of the climb. So, I had to spend a lot of energy to pass small groups and to come more or less to the front, and then to continue pushing hard to come back to the main group. That was not easy, but I managed to do it."

His compatriots and teammates Diego Ulissi and Christian Scaroni did the lead-out for Velasco. "In the final kilometers, I got some valuable help from my teammates to get a good position for the sprint. I did my best in the sprint, and at the end of this long day, I got fourth place. It is an important achievement for me and the team," said Velasco, who, for various reasons, could not show his good form in the first hill classics. "After bad luck in the Amstel Gold Race and tough weather at La Flèche Wallonne, finally I could find good form and show myself. I am grateful for my teammates who also worked very hard for this result today. Now we need to focus on our next goals."