Liège - Bastogne - Liège 2026, one-day monument, 26th April

[Unchained]

It's kinda hard to see these Pogacar haters constantly taunt in race threads. One week ago, in AGR, the forum had a very polite behaviour. With Pogacar is this constantly moaning and taunting.

It just shows over and over, it's not always win or lose it's how you play the game. Remco is like a mongoose, instantaneous mood swings and afterwards he acts like a gentleman listening to Slovenian national anthem, still smiling as Pogacar and Seixas get awarded medals from a guy wearing Belgian colors.

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/q_w62AUSrl4

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/-El_lIcTOMQ

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/hJy9q_xCQT4

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj9YfzAcr4c&pp=ygULcmVtY28gYW5ncnk%3D


Now Paul Seixas is living rent free in his head!

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Because some posts were removed.

Posts that were focussed on posters having a go at posters were removed. I utterly reject the accusation that posts about a rider were removed.

 

[Barkintheeye]

Great edition! First some nervous excitement with Remco sitting 2:40 up against UAE and Pogacar. Then a massive effort by Wellens and time gap eliminated. Then La Redoute and Roche aux Faucons that once again delivered cycling history.

Some interesting take aways.

• Seixas substantially more solid than most experts predicted. Pogacar's reign might just be a little shorter than some have hoped for.
• Secondly who wrote that UAE had a weak team?
• Thirdly, Remco - that had started to sound almost reasonable and nice - looked a fool for questioning Seixas's durability
• Fourth, who still believes Remco has anything to do with the Tour?
• Five, total demolition on La Redoute! Those two made mincemeat out of the rest

 

[Unchained]

I was expecting Seixas wanting a full on 1vs1 battle against pogacar, and that's what we got.



I don't see how today showing changed much. Just confirmed what we all expected.
I do think today will be a learning moment for Seixas if he's willing to learn.
He either needs to be even stronger or ride smarter vs Pogacar once he gets into a 1vs1.

Your points all valid, answer to the question, does Seixas want to learn? Yes. Seixas missed first split, he didn't miss the second, he stayed focused and he traded with Pogacar convincing enough that Pogacar waited to attack him. Apt student. The things Seixas did today will help him in everything else he does for the rest of the year. The only way people didn't know that he wasn't an equal to Pogacar was commentators kept saying, constant emphasis on being 19.

 

[Barkintheeye]

10" faster in la redoute.

https://watts2win.eu/en/segment/239

Seixas at 3:45 according to Strava so about the same time for Pog who was at 3:58 last year.

The rest at about 4:19 eg Mauro Schmid

 

[canina82]

Seixas at 3:45 according to Strava so about the same time for Pog which has 3:58 last year.

The rest at about 4:19 eg Mauro Schmid

They lost 34" in la redoute? Wild

 

[Barkintheeye]

They lost 34" in la redoute? Wild

If MS is a proxy for the rest then yes. On the helicopter shots the gap was just massive.

 

[armchairclimber]

Hell of a race. We have been watching the GOAT for a few years, thinking (well I have) it will be a long time before we see his like again. Seixas says "Hold my beer".

I have been watching on Sporza. I don't understand aa word of the commentary most of the time, then suddenly they will come out with and English phrase "Game Over" or "Best of the Rest". It tickled me alomost as much as Carlton Kirby.

Anyway, Seixas ... just extraordinary.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Uijtdebroeks came 21st in what, with a few 100 to go seemed to be a 3 man sprint. I've never seen anything like it in my entire life, not even Pozzovivo could've managed it.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Tadej Pogačar for winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège for the fourth time.

A crash and an early split, some wanting to take advantage of that, all to no avail. When Glivar gave up and there was a Slovakian flag besides his name, on TV, then things started to unfold. Around 40km to go there was suddenly a kid Pogi there, one thinking to himself what this race does to you, then the reality struck, that was another kid and Pogi was actually making a move on Côte de La Redoute, on where only Seixas was prepared to play along. Bravely exchanging turns with Pogi, annihilating peloton. That proved too much for the kid, after couple of digs and ultimately the seated attack came, Paul accepted he lost the battle knowing he didn't lose the war. Pogi and Cristian Camilo Muñoz Lancheros , right there on his left arm, clapping, they both reaching heaven.

 

[Gingivitis]

Great race! Finally we survived La Redoute without race being settled. Pogačar had to dig deep to beat Seixas. It will be very interesting to see what is next for Seixas this season. Only thing I did not see this season is his recovery ability. I guess Grand Tour should be in the cards now. At least to test himself. It is very impressive how he followed attacks but there is still some way to go to beat Tadej. In two-man sprint I would bet Pogačar every time. But to get there is already tremendous.
I cannot imagine further progress at this rate for Seixas, but I expect exciting all-round rivalry very soon, at least for couple of monuments and grand tours.

 

[KZD]

Most entertaining Liège of the last few years, the Remco's breakaway group added more uncertainty to the race and Pogačar have to work a bit more than usual to take a solo win.

Pogačar taking his 4th win in Liège, keeps writing cycling history and completes a superb classics campaign where he only missed the Roubaix win.

Seixas with an amazing second place, insane to see a 19th year old finishing second in a monument only behind the GOAT, but this kid is truly special. Being able to withstand Pogačar attack on La Redoute showed that he will most likely win this race in the future, he is not only a w/kg beast but also has a really big engine which will likely increase even more.

Remco back on the podium at Liège but I think he should be pretty disappointed and even concerned with his performance. Right now, it seems like he can’t even go into the red when Pogačar lights up the race in the super steep ramps getting completely dropped and we are not talking about the high mountains here but climbs where he has been flying since he is a junior. Anyway, his sprint for third was pretty impressive but I think he would trade it for more climbing ability.

Huge 4th place for Verstrynge, just like in Amstel he shows that he has a really big engine for this long distance efforts in hilly terrain coupled with a nice sprint at the end. If I was Alpecin, I would prioritise him as a rider to keep for the future.

Great to see Bernal finishing again in the top5 of a monument after his 3rd place in Il Lombardia back in 2019. Really nice results for Bilbao and Zana as well and shoutout to Skjelmose who was clearly the third strongest on the climbs today.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Bernal was rather impressive, didn't expect him in that bunch sprint for the podium.

 

[vappa]

Great edition! First some nervous excitement with Remco sitting 2:40 up against UAE and Pogacar. Then a massive effort by Wellens and time gap eliminated. Then La Redoute and Roche aux Faucons that once again delivered cycling history.

Some interesting take aways.

• Seixas substantially more solid than most experts predicted. Pogacar's reign might just be a little shorter than some have hoped for.
• Secondly who wrote that UAE had a weak team?
• Thirdly, Remco - that had started to sound almost reasonable and nice - looked a fool for questioning Seixas's durability
• Fourth, who still believes Remco has anything to do with the Tour?
• Five, total demolition on La Redoute! Those two made mincemeat out of the rest

I think Seixas still has 2 clear weaknesses compared to Pogacar who does have a bit of reserve still, here are my thoughts:

- Seixas doesn't (yet) have the ability to repeat (near) max efforts that Pogacar has. "Fresh" numbers he's really close (Redoute) but on Raf he clearly couldn't repeat that performance and on top Pogacar looked like he could repeat that effort after 15 minutes, Seixas was already cooked halfway up the climb
- we've never seen it but I would be shocked if Pogacar doesn't win 9/10 sprints between them right now
- Pogacar probably peaked for MSR - P-R period and was just carrying his shape, wasn't peaking for LBL, it was probably only the 4th most important race of this spring for him
- he was also carrying Roubaix weight, at ideal weight I think he can perform slightly better here

Bottom line, if Seixas wants to beat Pogacar here he has to drop him and keep him from coming back or improve his sprint and win that way

 

[onefortheroad]

Pogi, Seixas, Remco - pretty much as expected but hard work and one climb too far for Seixas.

As long as this saga continues, I watch only the briefest of highlights. Seixas appearing is a refreshing breath of air, yet I have neither the patience nor the motivation for a film whose ending is already written, always the same. No surprises remain. Not even Seixas (chapeau!). Not even Remco!

 

[Escarabajo]

I’m extremely impressed by Seixas, and honestly a bit puzzled as well. How can someone sustain that level of performance at just 19? It’s remarkable—and I used to think Tadej Pogačar's performance was insane..

 

[Escarabajo]

I feel for Remco .. he is an also ran for Pog but now Sexias as well

This puts a nail in the coffin of He is the next Merckx!

 

[Lorzenz08]

I’m extremely impressed by Seixas, and honestly a bit puzzled as well. How can someone sustain that level of performance at just 19? It’s remarkable—and I used to think Tadej Pogačar's performance was insane..

Training has evolved massively these past few years, a lot more access to high level and pro methods already at a young age.

That's why I'm saying Seixas isn't going to improve drastically from now on even if he is only 19

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

According to some interviews there was already a split in the peloton before Izagirre's crash. The race for the early break was full on and those suggesting the first dozens of riders should wait / pull the brakes because two riders crashed... The race is on I would say.

Those saying Pog was not in his very best shape... Think again! 3:45 on Redoute is stellar. Most pro riders can't do a sub 4:10 if they were trying to go full gas on a training ride. Pog and Seixas demolished the KOM. They got almost 2500 VAM!

RAF was maybe a climb too much for Seixas but it's clear that he'll get stronger and a bit smarter / more experienced in the coming years. Pog could drop him this year but the coming years Seixas should be able to withstand the pressure.

 

[IndurainsTdF1994]

This puts a nail in the coffin of He is the next Merckx!

To put another nail in it, one would first have to dig up the coffin with that idea... It's long since it's been nailed shut and buried.

 

[Oldman]

It just shows over and over, it's not always win or lose it's how you play the game. Remco is like a mongoose, instantaneous mood swings and afterwards he acts like a gentleman listening to Slovenian national anthem, still smiling as Pogacar and Seixas get awarded medals from a guy wearing Belgian colors.

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/q_w62AUSrl4

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/-El_lIcTOMQ

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/hJy9q_xCQT4

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj9YfzAcr4c&pp=ygULcmVtY28gYW5ncnk%3D


Now Paul Seixas is living rent free in his head!

That was a shift in the order for upcoming GTs, for sure. Seixas should be capable of a podium if his team manages 3 weeks well. That means someone will likely face more aggressive climbing tactics over the Tour's length and won't make the top step. It is the first question RBH management needs to settle if they want one of those top spots.

 

[Oldman]

According to some interviews there was already a split in the peloton before Izagirre's crash. The race for the early break was full on and those suggesting the first dozens of riders should wait / pull the brakes because two riders crashed... The race is on I would say.

Those saying Pog was not in his very best shape... Think again! 3:45 on Redoute is stellar. Most pro riders can't do a sub 4:10 if they were trying to go full gas on a training ride. Pog and Seixas demolished the KOM. They got almost 2500 VAM!

RAF was maybe a climb too much for Seixas but it's clear that he'll get stronger and a bit smarter / more experienced in the coming years. Pog could drop him this year but the coming years Seixas should be able to withstand the pressure.

I hate to keep admitting I only have access to highlights so my impressions are compressed.
1)Body language says it all and Pogacar rode hard enough until the last hill to both hurt Paul and allow him to stay on at the same time. Seixas was helpful with an aggressively chasing pack so no need to go it alone. The last climb, IMO showed how Pogacar could have dealt with Seixas earlier but that would have only poured gas on the chasing packs fire. Risky and pointless tactics.
Any rabid booster that doesn't understand Tadej putting a minute into a rival in short order should talk to Remco, Jonas, Mathieu and ask how much "control" they felt they had during the race.
No different today except France got #2 and Belgium got #3.

 

[proffate]

Training has evolved massively these past few years, a lot more access to high level and pro methods already at a young age.

That's why I'm saying Seixas isn't going to improve drastically from now on even if he is only 19

Have you not noticed the rate of improvement in the last 12 months? What makes you think he's suddenly hit his plateau?

 

[proffate]

Chapeau to Remco for rolling the dice, then salvaging the same place he would have gotten anyway

 

[HashRouge]

I quite enjoyed that. Seixas gave an unreal show on La Redoute, but he was rocking and rolling quite a lot and pulling some serious pain faces. I couldn't believe he held on for as long as he did on RaF! I also still cannot believe that he is 19 - what a monstrous talent! Pogacar, meanwhile, was in imperious form. He doesn't seem to mind if he can't drop someone the first time, and just keeps turning the screws again and again until his opponent (usually) cracks. The point where his and Seixas's form lines intersect is going to be extremely exciting.
I was disappointed for Remco that he couldn't go with them for at least a bit. I was hoping he'd be in better shape after his brilliant win at Amstel last weekend.