Remco Evenepoel Skips Flèche Wallonne to Focus on Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Belgian cycling star Remco Evenepoel announced on Monday, April 21, 2025, that he will skip the Flèche Wallonne this week to concentrate fully on the upcoming Liège-Bastogne-Liège Monument, which takes place four days later on Saturday, April 26. The decision comes after Evenepoel’s dominant victory in the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, April 20, where he secured his first win of the 2025 UCI World Tour season.

The Flèche Wallonne, one of cycling’s most prestigious Ardennes classics, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, starting in Charleroi and finishing atop the notorious Mur de Huy – a 1.3-kilometre climb averaging 9.6% gradient. Evenepoel, who has competed in the race twice before (finishing 43rd in 2022 and ninth in 2024), cited the need to preserve energy and focus for Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which he views as a higher priority in his spring campaign.

Evenepoel’s absence is a significant blow to the race’s star power, particularly as the defending champion Tadej Pogacar has also opted not to compete this year. The Slovenian rider, who won the Flèche Wallonne in 2023, is instead targeting other objectives in his calendar, leaving the race without its two biggest names from recent editions.

“After winning Amstel, I felt strong but also recognized the need to be smart about my efforts,” Evenepoel said in a statement released by his Soudal Quick-Step team. “Liège-Bastogne-Liège is a Monument, and it’s where I aim for to peak. Skipping Flèche Wallonne allows me to arrive fresh and focused for that challenge.”

The Belgian’s decision reflects a growing trend among elite riders to prioritize specific races over a packed spring schedule, especially when targeting Monuments or Grand Tour preparation. Evenepoel’s Soudal Quick-Step squad has backed the move, emphasizing his long-term goals for the season, which include ambitions in both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, often called “La Doyenne” as the oldest of the five Monuments, will start in Liège and finish in Ans, Belgium, covering approximately 258 kilometres. The race features multiple steep climbs in the Ardennes, including the Côte de Saint-Roch and the Côte de la Redoute, culminating in a final ascent to the finish line in Ans.

Evenepoel’s victory in Amstel Gold Race on Sunday marked his first classic win since the 2022 edition of the race. He attacked with 15 kilometres remaining and held off a charging group to win by three seconds, demonstrating the form that has made him one of the sport’s most consistent performers in one-day races.

With Evenepoel and Pogacar absent, the Flèche Wallonne field will rely on riders like Julian Alaphilippe, who won the race in 2020 and 2021, and emerging talents such as Paul Seixas, the French prodigy mentioned in early preseason speculation. However, Seixas has not been confirmed as a starter for the 2025 edition, and his participation remains uncertain based on current team selections.

For Evenepoel, the focus now shifts entirely to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he will look to add another Monument to his palmares after previously winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2021. A victory there would further solidify his status as one of the leading riders in modern cycling, capable of excelling in both one-day classics and stage races.

The decision to skip Flèche Wallonne underscores the strategic choices elite athletes make when balancing ambition, recovery, and long-term season planning. As the Ardennes week unfolds, all eyes will be on Evenepoel in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he aims to translate his Amstel Gold Race form into another Monument triumph.

Next up for Evenepoel is Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Saturday, April 26, 2025, starting at 10:00 CET (08:00 UTC). Fans can follow the race live through official UCI and broadcaster platforms, with full coverage available on Eurosport and GCN+.

What do you think of Evenepoel’s decision to skip Flèche Wallonne? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media using #ArdennesWeek.