Liège–Bastogne–Liège: Strong Presence Up Front, Race Turned by Key Incidents
At the 2026 edition of Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the peloton faced one of the most demanding races on the calendar: 259 kilometers and over 4,000 meters of elevation gain, raced at high intensity from the very first kilometer.
The opening phase proved immediately chaotic, with an early crash splitting the peloton into two groups. The Pinarello Q 36.5 Pro Cycling Team reacted well, placing two strong riders in the front group, Quinten Hermans and Sjoerd Bax, both active and well-positioned during one of the most critical phases of the race.
Just before the two main groups rejoined, and at a moment of maximum pressure from the chasing peloton, team leader Tom Pidcock was forced to stop due to a puncture, requiring a bike change. From that point, the British rider began a long and demanding chase.
Faced with this unexpected situation, the team worked quickly to reorganize. Chris Harper and Hermans remained attentive and well positioned near the front during the most intense phases of the race, as the pace continued to rise.
As the race evolved, the situation became increasingly difficult for the team, and the earlier efforts could not be consolidated in the final phases.
At the finish line, Hermans crossed in 38th position, followed by Harper in 50th. Pidcock, determined to complete the race despite the setback, finished alongside Xandro Meurisse, who had earlier sacrificed his own race to support his team leader.
"The race was chaotic from kilometer zero. We were in a strong position with two riders up front—Hermans and Bax—and we believed we could achieve a solid result. Unfortunately, Tom Pidcock’s puncture at such a critical moment disrupted all the tactical plans we had prepared with great attention to detail. On top of that, Xandro Meurisse, who had stopped to support Tom, also suffered a puncture shortly after restarting. At that point, the gap became extremely difficult to close, as the strongest teams were pushing hard at the front. The race was effectively gone. There’s not much more to add—today didn’t go our way, but it’s an important learning experience for the riders in one of the toughest races on the calendar."
Gianluca Brambilla (Sports Director)Conclusion
A demanding day in the Ardennes that required adaptability and rapid decision-making under pressure. The team remained fully committed throughout, managing a complex race scenario shaped by key incidents at decisive moments. Now, it’s time to reset and refocus, with full attention on the upcoming objectives and the next opportunities to perform.
