Remco Evenepoel: "Beating Tadej in a direct duel would be something new I could tick off off the list"

Speaking to Sporza, the Olympic champion looked ahead to the Monument. "I never dared dream I would be riding at this level already. I immediately won the Brabantse Pijl against a strong Wout van Aert, fought all the way to the line for the win in the Amstel Gold Race, and was also really good in the Flèche Wallonne."

On the Mur de Huy, Evenepoel couldn’t fully show what he had because of the cold conditions. "I suffered from the cold there, but I’m heading to Liège–Bastogne–Liège with a good feeling." He does not see himself as the top favorite. "Let’s not be ridiculous, Tadej is definitely the number one favorite for Sunday, especially after his dominant win in Huy."

"You can put me second on your favorites list, with half a star less than Tadej," Evenepoel told Sporza. "I think Tadej is the hardest rider to crack, especially because he enjoys cracking others himself. Liège–Bastogne–Liège is also a very different type of race and finale compared to the Amstel Gold Race. It will be decided on the climbs, and I hope to have good legs."

Evenepoel is highly motivated either way. "Winning now by beating Tadej in a direct duel would be something new I could tick off," Evenepoel said. "Tadej and I have raced quite a lot together over the past few years. But a true head-to-head battle has never happened. I’m just going to do my best. Whether it’s against Tadej or someone else, I really want to win Liège for a third time."