Liège-Bastogne-Liège – the oldest Monument – is often a race of juxtapositions. Liège's industrial past and its factory chimneys give way to silent Ardennes forest within kilometres of the start. Old roads. Ever-younger legs. The peace and quiet of a spring day interrupted by the chaos of the lead into La Redoute, the race's most pivotal climb.
There was something in the air on Sunday. First Paul Seixas, 19, held onto Tadej Pogačar's wheel on La Redoute – a sight many thought we'd never witness again while the Slovenian still remains in the professional peloton. Then a couple of hours later in the women's race, another young star in the making, Isabella Holmgren, 20, was safely nestled in the chase group over the top of the same climb.
But it wouldn't be the Walloon Monument without some of that century-old cruelty. Demi Vollering, who has been unstoppable this spring, was up the road on her way to a record-breaking third Liège title. Behind, like Seixas in the men’s race, Holmgren (Lidl-Trek) couldn't quite hold onto her lofty position. With just under 10km to go, she was dropped by the impetus imposed by Anna van der Breggen of all people – the 36-year-old veteran and two-time winner of Liège.
Read more: Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2026: Pogačar and Vollering win men's and women's editions
"It was just such a hard day," the Canadian rider said at the finish. "I don't think I've ever suffered like that before, but it was, yeah, a nice day with the girls and some really good teamwork.
"I think I was just trying really hard to make it over the climbs and stay with the lead group. And after that, it was just full gas and I was on the limit the whole time."
Fighting for a podium at a Monument at the age of 20 has become increasingly normalised in our sport. So much so that it is easy to understate just quite how impressive that is. To compete at these races, it takes more than just talent and physical ability. It's a mental game too, which is why conventionally it took a level of racing maturity to even be in the running. Not anymore, apparently.
"I wasn't thinking much, to be honest," said Holmgren. "I was just trying to hold their wheel and do as much as I could. Of course, we always race to win. But I think it was a nice day, and I gave everything. So I'm happy with it."
Holmgren was sixth, pipped on the line by another young star Paula Blasi (UAE Team Emirates-ADQ) – already an Ardennes winner after her breakthrough win a week ago at Amstel Gold. Blasi, 23, was more frustrated by her first Monument top-10 than Holmgren.
"You always want more. After [La Côte de la] Roche-aux-Faucons, I felt I was super close to getting back to the three girls. I was with Van der Breggen. I just missed the last 20 seconds. When she got to the group I was just so, so mad because I think if I played my cards a bit better I could've made it across with Van der Breggen. So I got quite mad because when you feel it's that close, and then you miss it…" Blasi said at the finish. The Spaniard's race hints at La Doyenne's cruelty and how it rewards experience.
However, fifth place in a Monument is not to be sniffed at, something Blasi acknowledged: "Of course, I'm super happy with fifth position. Two weeks ago, I would not even have thought about it."
It's one that further cements her status after her Amstel triumph, and will open up new opportunities in a competitive team like UAE.
"I've always been super hungry for results, but sometimes you're just there for the team. But once you get the opportunity, you always aim for the best. I think this week changed my life completely. From now on, I will still enjoy working for the team, but also I think I will get my opportunities."
Blasi and Holmgren may not have finished on the podium but they both showed more than enough evidence that they could in the future. La Doyenne, as ever, told us what we needed to know. This spring, Vollering was without peer. But these are among many stars in the making.
