Tom Pidcock claimed he could win La Flèche Wallonne one day, while Tadey Pogachar said he could win Mule de Uy.

The winner of Strade Bianche was in the thick of the action on the devilishly steep final climb of the Midweek Classic, but faded in the final 200 meters to finish 18th.

As Pidcock chased him down to the finish, Pogachar crossed the finish line 15 seconds ahead, celebrating his third consecutive Classic victory, following the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race.

"He was good. I think this is where he can win," said Pidcock. I think this is the point where he can win," Pidcock said.

Pidcock, led by Ineos Grenadiers teammate Magnus Sheffield, entered the 1.2km Mule de Huy, losing a couple of places on the S-curve, but surged left to close on Pogachar with 300m to go.

But he may have paid the price for his efforts. Even in Sunday's Amstel Gold race, he was on the podium, but he was still pedaling square on the home straight.

"It wasn't that hard, but it wasn't explosive," he said.

"I went very deep on Sunday and still haven't recovered. That's the way it is. I think I can win this race. I just didn't have the strength when it really mattered.

"Positioning was difficult. It was a big group, with a tailwind and speed all day, and a headwind on the climbs. It was ...... It was not good."

The spring had held great promise when Pidcock's stunning solo victory at Strade Bianche in early March proved to be a testing time. He was forced to miss the Milan-San Remo race due to concussion, suffered a serious injury at the Tour of Flanders, and struggled with the length of the distance at Amstel.

Despite this, he was optimistic ahead of Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege, despite La Flèche Wallonne failing to reach his high standards.

"On Sunday we have time to recover a bit more. I'm looking forward to it."