Endurance, elevation and a race that rewards only the strongest.

At 259.5km and with over 4,000 meters of climbing, Liège-Bastogne-Liège stands as one of the most demanding races on the calendar. Starting and finishing in Liège, the route gradually builds before exploding in the final 100 kilometers, where a relentless sequence of climbs begins to shape the race.

From La Redoute onwards, the intensity rises sharply, with decisive moves often coming from distance rather than waiting for the finish. The final ascent of Roche-aux-Faucons typically proves critical, before a fast and technical run-in to Liège crowns one of the strongest riders of the day.

Sports Director Sam Bewley said: “We’re coming into the race with a versatile group, and the guys have been performing well throughout this Ardennes block. Marco Frigo showed great form at Amstel, and Alessandro Pinarello also comes in with good confidence after stepping into a leadership role recently.

“It’s a race where positioning and timing are key, and we’ll look to stay present in the important moments and take our opportunities when they come.”

Recent performances add confidence to the group, with Marco Frigo coming off an impressive ride at Amstel Gold Race, where he spent over 200 kilometers in the breakaway and secured a top 10 finish, underlining his strength and endurance.

At the same time, Alessandro Pinarello arrives after stepping into a leadership role at Gran Camiño, gaining valuable experience that could prove important in a race where positioning and decision-making are key.

With his experience in the peloton and a strong understanding of how these long and demanding races unfold, Krists Neilands knows exactly what it takes to navigate a race like Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Neilands said: “This is one of those 7,000 kcal races, which means it’s just a brutal day on the bike.

“In a race like this, you have to stay focused pretty much all day. You don’t want to be in the wrong place when a surprise acceleration happens.

“We need to keep an eye on dangerous moves, especially before the final climbs. But if the big guys decide to race it in a more traditional way, then we just have to make sure our leader is in the right position to deliver his best effort and get the most out of the race.”

Gilmore said: “I’m feeling good. After a solid ride at Amstel and a bit of bad luck at La Flèche Wallonne, I’m looking forward to my first Monument on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a really hard race from the start, especially with UAE likely setting it up for Pogačar. I think once he goes, maybe with one or two other favorites, it could actually open things up behind. The race can settle a bit, groups can come back together, and that could play in my favor. That’s how it played out last year, and I expect something similar.

“Positioning will be really important. It’s such a long race, and being in the right place helps save a lot of energy throughout the day.”

NSN Cycling Team at Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Sunday 26 April)

Riders: Alessandro Pinarello (ITA), Brady Gilmore (AUS), Krists Neilands (LAT), Marco Frigo (ITA), Pau Martí (ESP), Nick Schultz (AUS),George Bennett (NZL)

Sports Directors: Samuel Bewley (NZL), Oscar Guerrero (ESP), Alex Cataford (CAN)