Tadej Pogačar returns to racing on Sunday as UAE Team Emirates-XRG target another Monument win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The world champion will lead the UAE-backed team on the 259.5km Belgian classic, one of the hardest one-day races on the calendar.
Pogačar has already won Liège in 2021, 2024 and 2025. A fourth victory would move him level with Moreno Argentin and Alejandro Valverde on the all-time list, one behind Eddy Merckx.
“The Ardennes campaign has been pretty solid for the team so far and I hope we can build on that for Liège.”
The race, known as La Doyenne, is built around repeated climbs in the Ardennes. The route heads south from Liège to Bastogne before turning back towards the city. The hardest racing usually starts in the final 30km, with the Côte de la Redoute often used as the point for the decisive attacks.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG have named a squad suited to that terrain. Tim Wellens returns from injury and gives the team a proven option on Belgian roads. Benoît Cosnefroy also arrives in good form after finishing on the podium at Amstel Gold Race.
Pavel Sivakov, Rune Herregodts, Domen Novak and Vegard Stake Laengen complete the line-up, with the team expected to work around Pogačar in the final part of the race.
“The Ardennes campaign has been pretty solid for the team so far and I hope we can build on that for Liège,” Pogačar said.
“The guys worked really well in the other races and Benoît is flying too at the moment, so I think we are in a good place as a team to take a big result.”
Remco Evenepoel is expected to be among Pogačar’s main rivals. The Belgian has won Liège before and comes into the race after victory at Amstel Gold Race.
Giulio Ciccone is another rider to watch, while French teenager Paul Seixas has added further interest after a strong start to the season.
Pogačar will also head to the Tour de Romandie after Liège. It will be his first stage race of the year.
