Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) has taken his second career victory, from only two efforts, at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The world champion went long again, like last year. And while he was matched by Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) initially, he soon dropped the British ride to solo to victory.
The big battle between Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) never materialised after Pogačar crashed out. He suffered multiple fractures in a bad racing incident that now casts a shadow over the remainder of his season.
Fresh from his 2nd place at Amstel Gold Race last weekend, Ireland's Ben Healy put in another fantastic performance and has now confirmed his status as the revelation of the hilly spring classics.
The EF Education-EasyPost rider was in a three-man group today sprinting for 2nd place, but had to settle for 4th. While he finished just off the podium, that result completes an epic start to the season for Healy; a period in which he forced his way into the top tier of professional cycling.
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Healy approached the finish today in that three man group with Pidcock and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious). The Irish rider opted to jump his two rivals early, attacking inside the final kilometre hoping to catch Pidcock and Buitrago by surprise. However, both of those riders covered Healy's move.
When the sprint for 2nd place began just moments later, Healy drifted backwards - clearly having fired his last bullet - as Pidcock took 2nd and Buitrago placed 3rd. They were sprinting for the final two steps on the podium some 1:06 after Evenepoel sailed over the finish line celebrating his win.
More to come.
