Swiss racing star Marc Hirschi says he will be taking on a "free electron" role for UAE Team Emirates in Liege-Bastogne-Liege on Sunday. [The 23-year-old Hirschi, who finished second in Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2020, told L'Equipe on Friday, "I am happy that the team is using me that way.

As for what will happen with defending champion Tadei Pogachar, Hirschi said, "Tadei is number one, but it's always better to have more than one card. I am not deprived of chances. There is always space for me."

Hirschi made a breakthrough in 2020, winning La Flèche Wallonne, but suffered a hip injury in 2021 and delayed his entry for 2022 after undergoing surgery last December. However, a bright light came in his one-year tunnel when he finished sixth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"My body still has to adapt, my muscles have to adapt to my new way of moving my hips. It will be a year before I will no longer feel its effects and everything will be back to normal," Hirschi said.

Still, the results so far have been good for Hirschi, starting with a win in his first race back at the Per Sempre Alfredo Classic in Italy in March, followed by a string of top 10 finishes and a 9th place finish in last weekend's Amstel Gold Race.

In La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday, a small error in positioning at the foot of the Mûr de Huy prevented him from playing an effective role in supporting Pogachar.

Unlike last year, Hirschi will not participate in the Grand Tours this season, concentrating instead on week-long stage races like the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse. First up will be Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday.