Laurenz's little brother continued to insist and passed the Mur de Stockeu at the front. Just before the La Redoute hill, he found himself in the lead again. This time with two riders from Axel Merckx's team, including Namurois Maxence Place. “It came back to us and the good shot from seven runners then went straightadds Tim Rex. I had just given a lot and I couldn’t go.”
In the final, he found the necessary resources to start a counterattack and settle it in a sprint, synonymous with eighth place in Blégny. “I remain very satisfied with my race, as I am with my start to the season”, continues the former Belgian junior mountain bike champion. “This top 10 in Liège means a lot to me. It's a monument among the pros and, among the hopefuls, the level is very high. One of the highest of the season. In addition, it takes place on roads that I know well. In training, I often do the part of the course before the Haute Levée or the part after.”
A good climber, he will now put himself in Flandrien mode since he will be this weekend in Ghent-Wevelgem for the under-23s. “I see myself more as a guy for hills, but with an engine that can serve me on the cobbles. I felt really good recently at Paris-Roubaix hopefuls. I wasn't lucky, unfortunately, but for me it was like a long pass lasting three quarters of an hour, I had to keep pushing because it was so hard on the cobblestones. I like it when it climbs, but I also enjoy the Flemish events.”
After Ghent-Wevelgem, he will set off on the Tour of Brittany. “Where it is often war”he finishes with a smile.
The DH Challenge Bicyclic rankings
Elite hopefuls
1. Tim Rex 372 points
2. Julien Desmarets (1 victory) 348
3. Maxence Place 332
4. Noah De Graef 282
5. Matteo Melotte 220
6. Sacha Prestianni 183
7. Axel De Lie 171
8. Hugo Wertz 162
9. Alessandro Tuscano 154
10. Lucas Jacques 152
11. Grégoire Lemaire (1 V) 122
12. Victor Loy 117
13. Tom Vuylsteke 103
13. Oscar Archambeau 103
15. Robin Ernst 94
16. Thomas Nennen 44
17. Thibaut Bernard 40
17. Sébastien Van Poppel 40
19. Auxence Buntinx (1V) 35
20. Thomas Lehnen 34
21. Gabin Laurent 33
22. Arthur Lowagie 24
23. Franklin Six 16
23. Mathis Dethy 16
25. Adrien Noël 13
26. Léopold Dallemagne 12
Juniors
1. Edouard Claisse (2 victories) 1286 points
2. Cyprien Dumortier 435
3. Florian Delier (1 victory) 400
4. Nicolas Aernouts 396
5. Juan Lemestrez 199
6. Germain Titeux 196
7. Thibo Stocman 156
8. Guillaume Daix 130
9. Oscar Loy 121
10. Tommy Delestrait 120
11. Arthur Vanassche (1 victory) 117
12. Aurélien Lejeune (1 victory) 78
13. Zakary Lognard 63
14. Nicolas Bastin 60
15. Louis Marx 56
16. Gaspard Kets 55
17. William Van Biene 25
18. Dany Gabez 23
19. Robin Warrant 21
20. Mathéo Gaspard 6
Cadets
1. Emil Siegers 476 points
2. Valentin Petillon (2 victories) 421
3. Nolan Ladrière 341
4. Sacha Dessart 226
5. Rayane Arifi 217
6. Augustin Maeck (1 victory) 185
7. Simon Billen 136
8. Thibaut Warrant 125
9. Hugo Decroos 85
10. Thomas Moreau 75
11. Thibaut Hautmont 65
12. Samuel Graff 61
13. Mathis Richez 55
14. Mathéo Coualan 45
15. Mathieu Lambert 35
16. Louis Baiolet 33
17. Valentin Charles 25
18. Emile Boitte 23
19. Romain Haid 16
20. Hugo Beckers 14
21. Emilien Locman 13
21. Justin Rousseau 5
