Tadej Pogacar cemented his status as a generational talent on Sunday, demonstrating a level of dominance that few in the history of the sport have ever matched. In a grueling display of strength and tactical precision, Pogacar holds off Van der Poel to win record-equalling third Tour of Flanders, breaking the resistance of his greatest rival in the final kilometers of one of cycling’s most punishing classics.
The Slovenian world champion managed to drop Mathieu van der Poel with just 18km remaining, securing a victory that marks his second win in the prestigious one-day classics this season, following his triumph at Milan-San Remo last month. However, the celebration was tempered by news that Pogacar, along with up to 20 other riders, may face legal action from Belgian authorities after crossing a railway line while the signal was red.
The race, which spanned 278km and lasted over six hours, was a brutal war of attrition across the punchy climbs and jagged cobbles of East Flanders. While the event was billed as a showdown between four of the sport’s biggest stars, it ultimately became a showcase for Pogacar’s ability to sustain an intensity that his competitors simply could not mirror.
The Tactical Breakdown on the Cobbles
The race’s defining moments unfolded on the Oude Kwaremont, one of the most feared ascents in the region. With 57km still to ride, Pogacar launched a devastating acceleration on the second of three climbs up the Oude Kwaremont, shedding the majority of the field. Only Van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel were able to stay in his slipstream.
The attrition continued immediately. On the subsequent climb, the Paterberg, the double Olympic champion Evenepoel was dropped. Though he initially clung to the lead duo within a few seconds, he gradually drifted back, eventually finishing more than a minute behind the winner.
This left Pogacar and Van der Poel—widely considered the premier cobbled specialist—locked in a high-stakes duel for the remaining 40km. The two rode in a tentative but tense partnership until the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. There, Pogacar struck again, cresting the climb with a six-second advantage. The move broke Van der Poel’s resistance, and the gap widened steadily until the finish line.
A Legal Shadow Over the Podium
Despite the sporting triumph, the victory is clouded by a safety breach that has drawn the attention of the law. During a critical phase of the race, the main peloton came to a halt at a railway crossing as required. However, Pogacar and a group of chasers, desperate to maintain their pursuit of the lead group, slipped across the tracks despite warning signals and the potential for an oncoming train.
Pogacar later defended the action, suggesting the riders were not given sufficient warning. “Suddenly, three guys jumped in the middle of the road and started waving to stop. How can you stop in one second,” Pogacar said. “I was thinking maybe it’s some protesters or something crazy is going on.”
The East Flanders public prosecutor’s office has taken a stern view of the incident, announcing an investigation into the breach of road safety rules. A spokesperson for the office stated that offenders will be identified and a formal report will be filed.
Chasing the Ghost of Eddy Merckx
With this victory, the 27-year-vintage Pogacar now boasts 12 Monument victories, moving him into a clear second place on the all-time list. He trails only the legendary Union Cycliste Internationale icon Eddy Merckx, who holds the record with 19.
Pogacar’s current form is nearly flawless; he has entered three races this year and won all three. His eyes are now firmly set on Paris-Roubaix next weekend. A win there would place him in an elite quartet of men to have won all five Monuments, joining Merckx and Belgians Rik Van Looy and Roger De Vlaeminck.
| Rider | Monument Victories | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Eddy Merckx | 19 | All-Time Record |
| Tadej Pogacar | 12 | Current Rank: 2nd |
| Rik Van Looy | All 5 Won | Elite Club |
| Roger De Vlaeminck | All 5 Won | Elite Club |
Reflecting on the effort, Pogacar described the event as a “really crazy race” that was “super-hard” from the early stages. He noted the pressure that comes with his current winning streak but expressed a desire to simply “enjoy the cobbles” as he prepares for his return to Roubaix, where he finished second to Van der Poel last year.
Vollering Mirrors the Dominance
The women’s race saw a strikingly similar narrative of individual superiority. European champion Demi Vollering utilized a strategy nearly identical to Pogacar’s, launching a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont to drop her rivals.
Vollering crested the climb with a 19-second lead over Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Puck Pieterse. The Dutch rider maintained her gap over the 164km course, crossing the finish line 45 seconds ahead of Ferrand-Prévot, who narrowly beat Pieterse for second place.
This victory represents Vollering’s third Monument win, adding to her two previous titles at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The record three-time winner Lotte Kopecky was forced to settle for fourth place in a race defined by Vollering’s strength.
The cycling world now turns its attention to the “Hell of the North.” The next critical checkpoint will be the start of Paris-Roubaix next weekend, where Pogacar will attempt to complete the most prestigious set in the sport while the East Flanders prosecutor’s office continues its investigation into the railway crossing incident.
Do you think Pogacar can complete the Monument sweep next weekend, or will the cobbles of Roubaix prove too much? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
