Pogačar joins the record books in Flanders’ Finest
Pogačar wins his third Tour of Flanders and becomes a joint record holder. In a clash between the main favourites, world champion Pogačar decided the race on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. There, the Slovenian launched the decisive attack, dropping Van der Poel for good. The Dutchman had to settle for second place, while Evenepoel completed the podium on his debut with an impressive third place.
An extraordinary front row in Antwerp set the stage for the start of the 110th Tour of Flanders. With Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe), Van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Van der Poel (Alpecin – Premier Tech) and Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG), four true superstars lined up together for the first time.
After several failed attempts in the opening phase, a breakaway of thirteen riders finally formed: Dillier (Alpecin – Premier Tech), Gradek (Bahrain – Victorious), Lamperti (EF Education – EasyPost), Swift (INEOS Grenadiers), Van Boven (Lotto Intermarché), De Pooter (Team Jayco AlUla), Van Den Berg (Team Picnic PostNL), Zamperini (Cofidis), Frison (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Fagúndez, Sainbayar (Burgos Burpellet BH), Vercouille (Team Flanders – Baloise) and De Vries (Unibet Rose Rockets). With trusty pace-setter Dillier in the break, Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) took charge of the chase.
On the Molenberg, an elite group emerged under the impetus of F. Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates – XRG). All the favourites were alert and responded instantly. With 78 kilometres to go, this elite group bridged across to the breakaway, officially igniting the finale.
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The race completely exploded on the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. Pogačar launched a blistering acceleration, with only Van der Poel, Evenepoel, Van Aert and Pedersen (Lidl – Trek) able to respond. The latter two had to drop just before the top, leaving an elite trio heading towards the first climb of the Paterberg. There, Evenepoel also had to let go, sending Van der Poel and Pogačar into the decisive finale together.
Evenepoel briefly seemed ready to close the gap again, but the front duo cooperated perfectly and the Olympic champion could no longer return. On the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, Pogačar attacked once more, and this time Van der Poel also had to yield. The Slovenian set off alone towards victory.
The Paterberg did not bring Van der Poel closer—quite the opposite. The world champion saw Pogačar ride away metre by metre, soloing to his third triumph in Oudenaarde. With this win, the Slovenian becomes a joint record holder. Van der Poel finished second, while Evenepoel rounded off the podium with a superb third place on his debut.
