'I was already preparing to sprint because he was so strong' – Tadej Pogačar almost pushed beyond his limit by Paul Seixas at Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Tadej Pogačar secured his fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory with a commanding solo finish, but the race was far more hard-fought than the final 45-second gap suggests. The 24-year-old World Champion was pushed to his limits by 19-year-old Paul Seixas, who matched Pogačar’s blistering pace on the iconic Côte de la Redoute climb. Both riders shattered the previous record time on the ascent, with Pogačar admitting he was already preparing for a sprint finish, acknowledging Seixas’s unexpected strength and resilience. The battle between Pogačar and Seixas continued over the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, where the Slovenian made a decisive move to finally drop the young French rider with just under 14 kilometres remaining. Pogačar’s intimate knowledge of the climb and his well-timed acceleration proved crucial, but he conceded that if Seixas had held on, he was ready to contest the sprint. Reflecting on his recent defeat to Wout van Aert in Paris-Roubaix, Pogačar revealed he had been mindful of the possibility of being outpaced in a sprint, which added to the tension during the closing stages. Beyond the race itself, Pogačar offered rare insight into the pressures he faces given his limited race calendar. With Liège-Bastogne-Liège being only his fifth race of the season, he highlighted the immense expectation to perform on these select occasions, having already won four out of five races this year, including three Monuments. His praise for his team’s support was evident, emphasising the collective effort behind his success and the significance of securing another major victory early in the season. Looking ahead, Pogačar is set to shift his focus to stage racing, starting with the Tour de Romandie and later preparing for the Tour de France through altitude training and the Tour de Suisse. He also expressed optimism about Seixas’s future, predicting the young rider will feature prominently in the Tour de France and urging the media to manage the pressure on the promising talent carefully. This emerging rivalry could add an intriguing dynamic to the upcoming season, signalling a new generation of contenders in the sport.