Several titans of cycling met at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, with Tadej Pogačar spoiling the party to take home a record-equalling title.
The race, considered the most celebrated of the Flanders Classics, offered a theatrical show of speed, stamina and signature cobbles for thousands of fans.
Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Mads Pedersen and more than 170 riders from 25 teams all lined up to take on the challenge.
But it was UAE Team Emirates XRG’s Pogačar who emerged victorious, proving yet again that it would take more than grit and luck to thwart his Classics dominance.
Stars on collision course
Pogačar entered as one of the favourites, having won the race in 2025 and 2023 – although it was clear the road would not be easy with van der Poel hot on his tail, the Dutchman boasting three Tour of Flanders titles himself.
To make matters more challenging, Evenepoel announced just days before that he was making his Flanders debut this year, putting an interesting mix of rivals together that also included van Aert and Pedersen.
The tempo was high right from the start of the 278-kilometre race, with several rides pulling away for a breakaway.
At one point, the gap between the breakaway and the peloton stretched to more than five minutes.
That was until an elite group that included the favourites tried to bridge that gap on Molenberg with 78 kilometres to go.
It paved the way for an explosive battle, which kicked off thanks to Pogačar’s sudden acceleration on the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont.
Only van der Poel, van Aert, Evenepoel and Pedersen managed to follow the world champion.
But the group was soon chipped away, with van Aert and Pedersen getting dropped first before Evenepoel was also distanced.
Then it was only Pogačar and van der Poel battling for the win, until the Slovenian attacked once more, leaving van der Poel on the penultimate climb to solo to victory.
Van der Poel finished second and Evenepoel took the third spot.
READ MORE: Cycling news: Jonas Vingegaard sends warning to rivals in dominant Volta a Catalunya victory
Rivals recall ‘crazy race’
Pogačar called the day “crazy” in a post-race interview, as quoted by Cycling Weekly.
“It was super hard and then it was a little bit of a waiting game. Still, it was an effort, pulling on the pedals all the time,” he said.
He also cited Evenepoel’s debut performance, saying he didn’t want him back in the group he formed with van der Poel.
“I know how much endurance he has as a rider. He can always overcome in the end and beat you, so I really tried to make a gap and it was good.”
For Pogačar’s rivals, the race was a testament to how challenging the road to victory has become whenever the Slovenian is present.
Alpecin–Premier Tech’s van der Poel called Pogačar a “phenomenon”.
“I was riding 650 watts and still couldn’t follow his wheel,” he admitted after the race.
“At a certain point, cycling becomes very simple.”
For Evenepoel of Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, his journey was “an almost perfect debut”.
He praised his team’s efforts in positioning him at the important moments but conceded it all came down to his legs when the race entered its final stretch.
“I believe I finished in the place I deserve and I definitely want to come back,” Evenepoel said.
Meanwhile, it was more heartbreak for Visma–Lease a Bike’s van Aert, who recently saw his hopes of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen brutally snatched away.
He had been on his way to what would have been a first victory in that race until Filippo Ganna caught him just a few metres before the finish line.
Much like last year, he had to settle for second place.
Van Aert initially seemed like he could chase Pogačar’s group in the Tour of Flanders, but he ended up having to co-operate with Lidl–Trek’s Pedersen to sustain the effort.
He missed out on the podium this time but finished in a respectable fourth place, with Pedersen in fifth.
In a press release after the race, van Aert admitted he “blew up a little” at the end, something he was disappointed about.
“I’m satisfied with my performance, but I had hoped for a better result,” van Aert said.
Pedersen, on the other hand, lamented the injuries he suffered earlier in the season, including a broken collarbone and wrist, which he said affected his races, according to IDL Pro Cycling.
“I’ve said it so many times already since last week: because of the injury, I’m just missing that little bit in those moments,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Pedersen came out satisfied, noting he still managed to beat the rest despite those setbacks.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Architect of inter-Korean Olympic unity, Chang Ung, passes away at 87
Spring Classics drama continues
Pogačar has shown tremendous form this year, winning every single race he has entered so far, including two Monuments.
That does, however, mean he has yet to take a breather ahead of Paris–Roubaix on April 12 – the only Monument he hasn’t previously dominated.
With the days ticking down to the next battle, Pogačar said he could remain motivated, especially considering his perfect start to the season.
This also means his rivals have a chance at revenge, with van Aert, van der Poel and Pedersen, amongst other big names, set to battle Pogačar once more in the Monument known as “Queen of the Classics” and “The Hell of the North”.
READ NEXT: FIFA World Cup 2026: Odds, full fixture list, kick-off times, England and Scotland games
Liam McLaughlan 
Paolo Castro 
Shameeka Voyiya