Sicard: "Sánchez has big ambitions for Liège"

Romain Sicard is likely to form a key part of an Euskaltel team hoping to launch Samuel Sánchez towards the podium in tomorrow's Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Having done reasonably well in both Amstel Gold (64th) and Fleche Wallonne (51st) as a domestique, the young Frenchman is looking forward to lining up in the doyenne of the classics - and says Samuel Sánchez will be going for the win.

"I'm very pleased to be here. Lining up in a Monument like this is always motivating", he told www.culturesport.info. "The team will do its utmost to aid Samu, who's got big ambitions for this race. He'll try to fight for the win. We'll do our best to set him up for a tilt at it."

The 2012 edition is set to be one of the most open in years what with Philippe Gilbert failing to reproduce last year's form and a number of other contenders showing strong from in the past week. Sicard is aware a whole host of names could end up on the podium.

"Many riders can win tomorrow. We'll see Gilbert and Vanendert, as well as Spaniards like Joaquím Rodríguez and Alejandro Valverde. The list is very long."

It's a fact: Sicard has had 22 racing days so far this season (including the non-UCI ranked Cancer Council Classic). That's already three more than last year.

Startlist can be found here. 

Photo: www.cyclingnews.com