The Slovenian secured his 13th Monument victory with a win, once again showcasing his signature style: attacking and riding without looking back. The duel with Seixas was billed as a generational clash, but the Frenchman had to wait for his chance against the dominant rider of the peloton.
The tension began early. Pogačar, Pidcock, and Seixas remained in the last group, while Evenepoel and Bernal continued at the front. The gap exceeded 3'40", with an average speed of over 44 km/h, prompting Decathlon to join UAE in a demanding chase.
After the Cote de Saint-Roch, a 1 km climb at 10.5%, the deficit was reduced by more than a minute. On the Col de la Haussire, 3.9 km long at 7.2%, the pace further shattered the breakaway and the group of favorites, and Pidcock dropped off after a bike change.
UAE caught the leading five, with Sivakov and Novak setting the stage for La Redoute. Pogačar launched a powerful attack there, leaving Evenepoel behind, while Seixas held the pace. On the Roca de los Halcones, a 1.3 km climb at 10.1%, Pogačar broke the race, and Evenepoel sprinted to third place in Liège.