Liège-Bastogne-Liège, cycling’s oldest Monument, has been contested since 1892. Across 111 previous editions, 82 different riders have taken the victory, with Eddy Merckx towering above everyone else with five wins. The race carries a weight of history that few other one-day events can match.
Recent years have belonged to two men. Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel have split the last five editions between them, three for the Slovenian and two for the Belgian. Last year Pogačar defended his crown in devastating fashion, attacking from the bottom of the Côte de la Redoute and riding solo for the final 3km. Giulio Ciccone outsprinted Ben Healy for second place, finishing more than a minute behind and just seven seconds clear of a bigger chasing group.
Pogačar is back again. A fourth career win would put him alongside Alejandro Valverde and Moreno Argentin, and he could become the first rider to claim three consecutive editions since Argentin managed it in 1987. We think he’s the clear favourite, and honestly, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t feature at the sharp end once more.
Key Race Details
| Date | Sunday, April 26 |
|---|---|
| Distance | 259.5km |
| Start Location | Liège |
| Finish Location | Liège |
| Start Time (CET) | 10:00 |
| Fastest Expected Finish (CET) | 16:02 |
The 2026 Route Breakdown
The 2026 course closely mirrors last year’s edition with some minor adjustments. The overall distance is marginally longer at 259.5km. Riders leave Liège heading south toward Bastogne before looping back north to the city where it all began.
Eleven categorised climbs define the parcours. The Côte de Saint-Roch arrives first with 175.8km still to go, then a long stretch of nearly 50km separates it from the Col de Haussire (Stèle Claudy Criquielion). Another 40km gap follows before things start to get serious.
The Côte de Wanne at 88km from the finish is where the climbing frequency ramps up dramatically. It’s one of the shallower ascents on the menu, but within the next 10km the peloton hits the Côte de Stockeu, one of the steepest pitches of the day, averaging 12.5% over 1.1km. From here, the Côte de la Haute-Levée, Col du Rosier, Col du Maquisard and Côte de Desnié pile fatigue onto tired legs as the race builds toward its defining moment.
Once riders crest the Côte de Desnié, the frantic jockeying for position begins on the approach to the Côte de la Redoute. This 1.6km climb averaging 9.4% has established itself as the race’s decisive battleground since 2022. Every winning move in recent years has been launched on its slopes or just over the top. Last year Pogačar accelerated from the very bottom and instantly opened a gap that nobody could close. Everyone will be bracing for a repeat performance, and the question is whether anyone can stay with the World Champion. In the previous two editions, nobody could.
The terrain doesn’t relent over the summit. The road continues to drag uphill, and as Evenepoel demonstrated in 2023 by dropping Tom Pidcock, race-winning differences can be carved out in these kilometres. With 23.3km remaining comes the Côte des Forges, 1.3km at 7.8%. It hasn’t produced decisive attacks lately but has served as a platform for the solo leader to maintain or stretch their advantage.
A short plateau and a fast descent lead to the final categorised climb: the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. At 1.3km averaging 11%, it’s a launchpad for anyone with reserves still intact. After the initial steep ramp the road continues rising on a false flat, where gaps can open up as legs give way. Riders need to keep something in reserve or risk blowing up entirely.
The descent back toward Liège starts shallow before steepening into a technical section. As Jakob Fuglsang nearly discovered in 2020, the race can be won or lost on those bends. Once the road flattens, the peloton heads through the city on wide open roads that invite tactical games if a group is still together. The finish comes along the long, broad straightaway on the Quai des Ardennes, under the flamme rouge and to the line where La Doyenne’s 2026 champion will be crowned.
Climb Summary
| Climb | Length | Average Gradient | Distance from Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Côte de Saint-Roch | 1km | 11.2% | 175.8km |
| Col de Haussire (Stèle Claudy Criquielion) | 3.9km | 6.8% | 127.1km |
| Côte de Wanne | 3.6km | 5.1% | 88.3km |
| Côte de Stockeu (Stèle Eddy Merckx) | 1.1km | 12.5% | 81.8km |
| Côte de la Haute-Levée | 2.2km | 7.5% | 77.6km |
| Col du Rosier | 4.4km | 5.9% | 63.3km |
| Col du Maquisard | 2.4km | 5.7% | 50.8km |
| Côte de Desnié | 1.6km | 8.1% | 46.7km |
| Côte de la Redoute | 1.6km | 9.4% | 34km |
| Côte des Forges | 1.3km | 7.8% | 23.3km |
| Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons | 1.3km | 11% | 13.4km |
Weather Conditions
Riders can expect near-perfect conditions on Sunday. Plenty of sunshine, temperatures climbing from around 6°C in the morning to 15°C by afternoon, and winds barely registering at roughly 6 km/h. The weather shouldn’t be a factor at all.
Contenders for La Doyenne 2026
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
UAE Team Emirates-XRG arrive with a singular mission: deliver Tadej Pogačar to a fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège title. He won in 2021, 2024 and 2025. He missed the 2022 race following a personal tragedy, and a crash took him out in 2023, the two years Evenepoel claimed his victories.
This time around, Pogačar skipped both the Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne. Last season he raced both after Paris-Roubaix, which seemed to take a toll on his recovery. He lines up fresher now, supported by a team entirely built around his ambitions. If you’re learning how to bet on sports, this is the kind of dominant favourite who shapes the entire betting market.
Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
Remco Evenepoel remains the most obvious challenger. The Belgian has never beaten Pogačar head-to-head in this race, winning his two editions only when the Slovenian wasn’t present. This year feels different though. For the first time in a while, his preparation has been largely uninterrupted, and he has a strong squad around him. He arrives with something to prove, and that kind of motivation can be powerful.
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team)
Decathlon CMA CGM Team bring genuine ambition through Paul Seixas. The French prodigy has adapted seamlessly to professional racing and been remarkably consistent this season. His victory at Flèche Wallonne was a clear statement of intent. We still think matching Pogačar and Evenepoel is a tall order, maybe too tall, but Seixas is a genuine podium contender.
Lidl-Trek: Ciccone and Skjelmose
Lidl-Trek present a compelling duo. Giulio Ciccone finished second here last year and returns to one of his favourite races determined to go one better. His season started slowly due to illness that forced him to miss the UAE Tour, but form has been building steadily. A sixth place overall at Tirreno-Adriatico, a supporting role for Mads Pedersen at Milan-Sanremo, and a measured approach through Catalunya all pointed toward a deliberate Ardennes peak. Like Pogačar, he skipped both Amstel and Flèche Wallonne to focus entirely on Liège.
Mattias Skjelmose offers another serious option. Injury and illness disrupted his season, but he turned things around at the Amstel Gold Race where he was the only rider capable of following Evenepoel. He lost the sprint, but it marked a significant step forward. Together they form a dangerous pair. Victory might be a stretch, but a podium is absolutely within reach.
Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious bring real depth. Lenny Martinez is enjoying the best season of his career so far. Santiago Buitrago, third in this race in 2023, returns after a block of altitude training in Colombia following the Volta a Catalunya, preparation that should see him arrive in peak shape. Pello Bilbao showed strong form at Itzulia before a puncture at the Amstel Gold Race cost him a result, and that frustration could fuel him here.
Afonso Eulálio is an intriguing wildcard for the team. The young Portuguese rider finished in the top ten at the World Championship road race during his first professional season last year. That kind of performance demands a massive engine, one that typically develops only after several years in the peloton. He’s someone to watch closely. For a full breakdown of sports betting terminology, check our glossary if terms like outright or each-way are unfamiliar.
Ineos Grenadiers
Ineos Grenadiers will look primarily to Kévin Vauquelin. The Frenchman hasn’t previously shown the qualities needed to perform at Liège, but he’s evolving rapidly as a rider and this could be the race where he takes the next step. Axel Laurance, who finished 8th here last year, will target a similar result from the group sprinting for minor honours.
Groupama-FDJ United
Groupama-FDJ United centre their hopes on Romain Grégoire, who has been one of the most active riders all spring. Despite a heavy schedule, he appears to be holding his form well. Ewen Costiou recently cracked the top ten at the Amstel Gold Race, and Guillaume Martin brings solid pedigree in this race, including a sixth-place finish in 2023.
Team Jayco AlUla
Team Jayco AlUla fields a balanced squad. Mauro Schmid is riding perhaps the best form of his career, already surpassing his previous full-season UCI points tally. He finished sixth at Amstel Gold Race and second at Flèche Wallonne. Andrea Vendrame and Alan Hatherly provide additional options. Neither has a standout Monument record, but both arrive in strong condition and could fight for a place of honour.
Other Contenders
Uno-X Mobility rely on Tobias Halland Johannessen and Andreas Kron. Johannessen has often been hampered by spring injuries, but this season he arrives without setbacks. Kron, who has endured his own share of bad luck, will be eager to find his best level again.
EF Education-EasyPost turn to Alex Baudin with Ben Healy sidelined through injury. The Frenchman is enjoying a strong campaign and could take another step forward. Lotto-Intermarché hope Lennert Van Eetvelt can bounce back after a disrupted season marked by crashes. A solid training block might allow him to compete at a higher level once more.
XDS Astana Team brings depth led by Christian Scaroni, who stepped up last season and will look to confirm that progression. Clément Champoussin and Simone Velasco could feature in the fight for minor placings. Pinarello 36.5 Pro Cycling Team are working to get Tom Pidcock to the start in optimal condition following his crash at the Volta a Catalunya. His participation in the Tour of the Alps serves as preparation, though whether that approach pays off remains uncertain. Please always gamble responsibly when placing wagers on race outcomes.
TipsGG Star Ratings
Our editorial team has assessed the field and here’s how we see the pecking order. Remember, understanding your rights as a player is always worth keeping in mind when placing bets.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pogačar
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Evenepoel
- ⭐⭐⭐ Seixas
- ⭐⭐ Ciccone, Schmid, Skjelmose, Johannessen
- ⭐ Buitrago, Baudin, Cosnefroy, Pidcock, Scaroni, Grégoire, Tulett, Vauquelin