Remco Evenepoel dropped on La Redoute, after attacking in early break with Egan Bernal and Dylan van Baarle

Dylan van Baarle has ridden 28 Monuments and won one of them — Paris-Roubaix in 2022. But for all that experience, Liège-Bastogne-Liège remained blank on his palmares. Until now. The Dutchman made an immediate impression on his debut at La Doyenne, slipping smartly into the large front group that formed early in the race — a group that included Remco Evenepoel and Egan Bernal, and quickly opened up a significant gap on the second peloton containing Tadej Pogačar.

The Flemish spring had been a disappointment for Van Baarle. He finished 30th at the Tour of Flanders and 82nd at Paris-Roubaix. "I think 'just not quite there' is probably the right way to describe it," he told Wieler Revue. "It's clear I expected more, and so did the team. After Liège we'll look at what the reasons might be, but obviously I'd hoped for more."

The Dutchman wasn't about to let it derail the rest of his spring, though. His free role at Soudal Quick-Step allowed him to move early and move well. Alongside teammates Pascal Eenkhoorn and Louis Vervaeke, he was well-placed when the race fractured not long after the start. Van Baarle had backed himself going in. "I think it should suit me. We'll see, but in principle I tend to be better on the longer climbs. It should be in my wheelhouse."

There is another reason this race holds a certain appeal. La Doyenne was won in 2016 by Wout Poels — Van Baarle's podcast co-host. "I thought: I should probably pay him a little tribute," he laughed. "No, it's just a great opportunity to be on the start line here. Did I ask him for advice? No, not yet. Maybe I should give him a ring this evening."

Given the gap in his knowledge, Van Baarle had done his homework. "I don't know a great deal about the Ardennes. So I went out there a few days early to get a better feel for it. I've ridden here before, but I wanted to really get a sense of the terrain. That was very valuable." After Liège, what comes next? "First, some rest — and then an altitude camp in the build-up to the Tour de France."

An attack by a large group of riders in the early stages would be expected in a race like Liège-Bastogne-Liège. That the attack would include Remco Evenepoel, Egan Bernal and Dylan van Baarle was maybe more unexpected. The dangerous breakaway caused UAE Emirates XGR and Decathlon to have to come to the front and expend riders to being close the gap, which grew out to 4 minutes at its maximum.

Tim Wellens, in particular, had to do a large chunk of the work on the front, helping to keep his leader's hopes of a 4th title intact. With 75km to go, the group of escapees were caught and UAE were back in control of the race. With Evenepoel and Seixas sitting on their wheels, however, how much will these early shenanigans cost Pogačar in the finale?

The move that was expected came as night follows day. UAE moved to the front of the bunch and upped the pace. On the lower slopes of La Redoute, earlier than in previous year's, Pogačar dropped one of his trademark seated attacks. Evenpeol already looked in trouble before the attack, and was left going backwards as soon as Pogačar stamped on the pedals.

However the world champion didn't drop everyone, as he has become accustomed to. A certain 19-year-old Frenchman, one Paul Seixas, was glued to his back wheel. Pogaċar looked around before the top and eyeballed the Decathlon teenager. Whether he was surprised to see Seixas or not, we will have to wait until the post race debrief to hear. But the two came over the top of La Redoute together. With only a few climbs remaining to get rid of Seixas, is time running out for Pogacar?