LIEGE ’26: Pogačar Rules Again – Seixas Shines, Evenepoel Fades

Tadej Pogačar secured his fourth victory at the 2026 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, reaffirming his dominance in the Ardennes Classics. The race, spanning 259.5 kilometres, unfolded with unexpected intensity from the outset, marked by a large breakaway group that included Remco Evenepoel. Unlike previous editions where Pogačar’s win seemed inevitable, this year’s contest was fiercely contested, particularly by the young French rider Paul Seixas, who emerged as a formidable challenger. The early stages of the race were chaotic, with a crash disrupting the peloton and a sizeable breakaway gaining a significant advantage. Teams such as UAE Emirates and Decathlon-CMA CGM had to work hard to reel back the escapees, with riders like Tim Wellens playing a crucial role in bridging the gap for Pogačar. The breakaway eventually fragmented, allowing the favourites to regroup and set the stage for the decisive climbs. Evenepoel’s early aggression took its toll, and he was unable to maintain contact with the leaders as the race progressed. The pivotal moment came on the iconic climb of La Redoute, where Pogačar launched a powerful attack. Seixas matched every surge, demonstrating remarkable resilience and signalling his arrival on the big stage. However, it was on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons that Pogačar’s strength proved decisive. His second assault on the climb created a gap that Seixas could not close, allowing the Slovenian to ride solo to the finish. Seixas held on for second place, while Evenepoel, fading in the latter stages, secured third. Pogačar’s victory brings him closer to matching Eddy Merckx’s record of five Liège-Bastogne-Liège wins, placing him alongside legends like Moreno Argentin and Alejandro Valverde. The race also highlighted the emergence of Paul Seixas as a significant talent in the sport, suggesting a promising rivalry for the future. Pogačar’s emotional tribute to his late teammate Cristian Camilo Muñoz added a poignant note to a race that balanced tradition with the excitement of new contenders staking their claim.