After an epic finish, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) secured a resounding victory in the second Monument of the year. The world champion once again demonstrated his exceptional talent, taking the win in the Tour of Flanders after a demanding 278-kilometer route through the Flemish region.
The second step of the podium went to Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), while Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) claimed third place.
The 110th edition of the Flemish cobbled classic began at a leisurely pace in the peloton, allowing a breakaway of thirteen riders to form and lead the race for the first part of the course. Among the daring breakaway riders was Uruguayan Eric Antonio Fagúndez (Burgos Burpellet BH).
Once past the halfway point, UAE Team Emirates – XRG took over the chase. The key to closing the gap on the breakaway was Belgian Florian Vermeersch, who worked tirelessly to reel in the escapees and position his leader, Tadej Pogacar, well.
With 78 kilometers to go, the favorites achieved their objective and merged with the remnants of the breakaway. From then on, attention focused on a leading group of 23 riders, with Uruguayan Fagúndez as a key passenger.
As the minutes ticked by, fatigue gradually took its toll on the leaders, and several dropped back, until the ‘fantastic four’ emerged: Mathieu Van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel, Wout Van Aert, and Tadej Pogacar.
As expected, Pogacar consistently took the initiative. On the penultimate ascent of the Paterberg (0.4km at 8.4%), Van Aert couldn’t keep pace and was dropped, leaving only a leading trio. The same thing happened to Evenepoel a few kilometers later.
In the final stretch, the two big favorites, Van der Poel and Pogacar, kept their pursuers at bay and ended up battling for the win between themselves. The Slovenian star ultimately prevailed, dropping his main rival to cross the finish line alone.
Results Ronde van Vlaanderen ME (1.UWT)
Antwerp – Oudenaarde (278,2 km)
| 1 | Tadej Pogacar | UAE Team Emirates-XRG | 6:20:07 |
| 2 | Mathieu van der Poel | Alpecin-Premier Tech | 0:34 |
| 3 | Remco Evenepoel | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 1:11 |
| 4 | Wout van Aert | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 2:05 |
| 5 | Mads Pedersen | Lidl-Trek | 2:48 |
| 6 | Jasper Stuyven | Soudal Quick-Step | 4:28 |
| 7 | Florian Vermeersch | UAE Team Emirates-XRG | 4:28 |
| 8 | Matej Mohoric | Bahrain Victorious | 4:30 |
| 9 | Christophe Laporte | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 5:22 |
| 10 | Gianni Vermeersch | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 5:22 |
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico