"We have other riders who can win the Flèche Wallonne”; general manager considers other riders besides Pogacar in Huy

The big spring goal is another victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège for the 26-year-old Slovenian. "I’ve enjoyed this Classics campaign a lot so far," Pogacar said in a press release on the team website. "I came into this period with many goals and ambitions, and there are still two left, the biggest of which is next Sunday. The most suited race for me is probably Liege, so I’m looking forward to it in particular, but every race is important."

With classics such as the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and the Amstel Gold Race in his legs, there was some doubt as to whether Pogacar would take extra rest ahead of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Still, his participation in the Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège has been confirmed. He’ll aim for a few relaxing days now and open the legs up again in Fleche Wallonne on the Mur de Huy. "Things are on track for a good race in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, which is the main goal for this part of the season in the Ardennes."

General manager Mauro Gianetti pointed out to RTBF that Pogacar does not have to make his move before the final climb to Huy. "He will need another strong boost on Wednesday or Thursday to fully prepare for Liège. But he does not have to make his move again 50 kilometers from the finish or go for the win. He is riding because he wants to, but it is not a must. We also have other riders in the team who can compete in a race like the Flèche Wallonne," said the Swiss rider.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG selections for Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège are almost identical. There is only one change between the two races. Jan Christen will start in the Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday, with Belgian rider Florian Vermeersch replacing him in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

With Jhonatan Narváez's absence, Pogacar will be missing an important rider in both races. The Ecuadorian (injury unknown) crashed in the Amstel Gold Race and had to abandon the race early. The 28-year-old rider was involved in the same crash that affected Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) and Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike).

After the race, Evenepoel said that Narváez was the rider who crashed first and took Evenepoel with him in his tumble. Pogacar responded to the complaints from the Soudal Quick-Step camp, who claimed that UAE Team Emirates-XRG continued riding after Evenepoel's crash: "We definitely did not accelerate, but simply let Domen Novak ride at the front as he had been doing for 150 kilometers," Pogacar said in his press conference.

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