Remco Evenepoel appeared very confident in his press conference, and regarding his expectations for Sunday's race, victory is the only possible option for him. The Belgian wants to win his third Liège-Bastogne-Liège, even though the competition will be fierce. "I feel I'm still growing, in the last few days I've felt a significant physical improvement".

The two-time Olympic champion is one of the favorites to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège and it will be his opportunity to conquer the last major spring race.

"I was surprised in previous races by the values I've reached and the level I've found myself at. It was difficult to calculate two months ago where I might arrive, but the values don't lie and I'm reaching a higher level than I had thought. Honestly, I didn't think I'd be at this point".

Moreover, Evenepoel is still making progress and, looking at what he has already achieved this season, he thinks he can improve further. "I feel I'm still improving. The Flèche Wallonne was the race where I felt best among the three I've ridden, but I was held back by the cold. The sensations I experienced gave me confidence and this will help me face Sunday's race".

The two-time Olympic champion is currently unbeaten in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but this time it will be different because he will have to measure himself against Tadej Pogacar: the Belgian won in 2022 and 2023, but last year he couldn't participate due to a crash in the Tour of the Basque Country and the race was won by the Slovenian.

"The fact that I've won two consecutive editions doesn't create great pressure for me. It's easier to lose a score where you have 100% victories than to maintain it. The fact that I've always won so far doesn't change my approach to the race".

Tadej Pogačar is on paper the favorite for Sunday and Evenepoel is behind him, but there will be other riders with good chances of victory. "Look at the Amstel. Everyone expected the win from me or Tadej, but the third, Mattias Skjelmose, made his sprint and won. The same could happen on Sunday".

In previous editions, Liège-Bastogne-Liège has exploded especially on the Redoute and Evenepoel wouldn't be surprised if this happens again. "It's a total four-minute effort. If you're still in shape, you can continue, but if you're tired, that effort seems to last four hours. And because of the new route after La Redoute, it's really difficult to recover".

The Belgian loves this race and knows every meter of the course perfectly. "I've been training in the Ardennes since I was seventeen. I could face the finale with my eyes closed. This gives me more confidence. I know the descents, I can better time my efforts uphill. And there are so many people along the route cheering me that I really feel their proximity and this helps me".

After the Doyenne, the Soudal-Quick Step rider will start preparing for the Tour de France where he will again aim for the final podium. "The Tour is still very far away and I have a lot of work to do. I don't feel at my best yet, but my comeback is already better than last year's Dauphiné. If I can continue like this, it's logical that I'll start the Tour stronger than last year".