Pogacar untouchable in Liège? Gilbert: 'When it goes uphill, no one can follow'

“Pogačar is and remains the favourite,” Gilbert said to Sporza. “Look at his races this year. Every time it goes uphill, no one can follow him.”

And that, he stresses, is exactly what defines Liège. “I can already tell you: there’s a lot of climbing here, especially in the finale. He’ll have more than one chance to drop the others. I think he’ll be above the rest again.”

Remco Evenepoel is widely seen as the main challenger, and Gilbert has seen his preparation up close. The Belgian has spent long hours on recon and arrives with growing belief.

“He’s done a long course recon. He has confidence, and he knows the roads,” Gilbert notes. But he quickly tempers expectations: “I hope for more, of course, but it will be very difficult against Pogačar.”

Behind the top two, attention turns to French prospect Paul Seixas. A podium finish in his first appearance would be a statement, yet Gilbert urges caution.

“That would be incredible for such a young rider,” he says. “His win in Flèche Wallonne was nice, but the big names weren’t there. And that race is still easier. I expect that at his age, he might just come up short.”

If Seixas wants to surprise, Gilbert keeps the advice simple. “Fight for your position. If you’re badly placed after the fast run-in to La Redoute, it’s over. Staying close to Pogačar and Evenepoel will be crucial. After that, it’s just legs. Simple.”

The race, as so often, may hinge on La Redoute. Gilbert, who still lives at the foot of the climb, sees it as the decisive point.

“La Redoute is the ideal place for Pogačar to attack,” he explains. “After that, you go quickly from climb to climb and you don’t need teammates anymore. I think he’ll go full gas there.”

Positioning before the climb will be just as critical. “Pogačar is almost always perfectly placed,” Gilbert says. “And he knows one of his rivals will be too far back when they hit the climb.”

Gilbert speaks from experience. His own 2011 victory in Liège capped a historic Ardennes run, winning Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège in succession. A feat he still sees as nearly impossible today.

“It was unique, and it will stay unique,” he reflects. “It’s harder now. Riders race less. The top guys are selective. Pogačar is only riding his fifth race of the year on Sunday. That says enough.”