Pogacar’s 'killer move' strikes fear at Liège–Bastogne–Liège: "What I thought? Basta"

Ciccone finished the Tour of the Alps on Friday before riding the Monument on Sunday. "It was a tough race. Especially in the beginning, I could still feel the exhaustion from the Tour of the Alps, but I managed to push through in the last two hours. I really enjoyed it, and being on the podium makes it even better."

"Finally," said the Italian as he sat in his seat. "I'm exhausted but also very happy. When you're happy, you feel less tired. Finishing second after Pogi is... I don't want to say victory, but it feels good. When he attacked, I thought: Basta. Now, I have to keep my pace, and I managed to do that so I could spread out the energy I had left."

"I rode well in the Alps, which is an entirely different race. I felt a bit strange in the first few hours in Liège because, in the Alps, there was less stress and more long climbs. It was different here, but it went well," said Ciccone. "After Lombardy, this is the race that suits me best, so I'm pleased in the run-up to the Giro." The Italian wants to go for a good GC in two weeks in his home country.

Healy was also happy. "This is what I've been working for all winter. I had my sights set on Liège, and my goal was to finish on the podium. The victory would have been even better, but I'm incredibly proud of this podium place." He also did not respond to Pogacar's attack. "The plan was always to keep riding at our own pace. We've seen Tadej do things like this before in Huy and elsewhere... in fact, in all races. That's his killer move."

"We wanted to keep up the pace, but it was very fast, and after the Redoute, we ended up in a nice group," said the Irishman, who confirmed his strong spring form two seasons ago in Liège. “I'm not necessarily better than two years ago, but I'm smarter and have more race experience. I'm still improving. Now? I'm ready for a break. So I won't be riding Eschborn-Frankfurt."