Tadej Pogacar continued his exceptional start to the 2026 season by claiming the Tour of Flanders, marking his second monument victory of the year. The Slovenian cyclist from UAE Team Emirates-XRG delivered a dominant solo performance, further cementing his legacy in the sport with a record-equalling third win in this prestigious race.
Pogacar and Van der Poel Battle in Classic Duel
Pogacar and his great rival Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech emerged as the strongest riders in a world-class field. With approximately 18 kilometres remaining, the world champion van der Poel launched an attack on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. This climb had proven decisive in Pogacar's victory last year, but this time van der Poel managed to stay close, limiting the gap to just a few seconds at the summit.
Decisive Move on the Paterberg
However, van der Poel could not close the gap entirely. Pogacar gradually extended his lead, pushing hard on the Paterberg—a short but brutal cobbled climb with gradients exceeding 20 per cent. This effort proved too much for van der Poel, a three-time winner of the race, who fell 15 seconds behind at the top of the hill.
Once Pogacar realized he would not be caught, the four-time Tour de France winner celebrated early, raising his arms in triumph and punching the air as he crossed the finish line. He finished an impressive 33 seconds ahead of van der Poel, showcasing his superior form and tactical prowess.
Notable Finishers and Race Details
On his Tour of Flanders debut, Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe secured a commendable third place, finishing ahead of Wout Van Aert from Visma-Lease a Bike. After the race, Pogacar and van der Poel were mobbed by photographers and shared a warm hug, highlighting the respect between these elite competitors.
Also known as De Ronde, the Tour of Flanders is one of cycling's most challenging one-day races, first held in 1913. This year's 278-kilometre route, equivalent to 172.7 miles, featured 16 short but punishing climbs and several demanding cobblestone sections, testing the endurance and skill of all participants.
Monuments and Pogacar's Ambitions
The Tour of Flanders is one of the five monuments of cycling—the most prestigious one-day events in the sport. The others include Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and the Giro di Lombardia. Pogacar triumphed at Milan-San Remo earlier this year, marking his first victory in that race.
With this win, Pogacar has now claimed all three races he has competed in during 2026, including the Strade Bianche last month. The only monument missing from his impressive trophy cabinet is Paris-Roubaix, which takes place next weekend, offering him a chance to complete a historic sweep of all five monuments this season.
This victory not only underscores Pogacar's dominance in the cycling world but also sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the year, as he aims to solidify his status as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
