Tadej Pogacar wins third Tour of Flanders with dominant solo attack
World champion Tadej Pogacar claimed a record-equalling third Tour of Flanders victory by dropping rival Mathieu van der Poel with a blistering solo attack.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider crossed the line 33 seconds ahead of the Dutchman to continue his flawless start to the 2026 season.
The decisive moment arrived on the brutal cobbled gradients of the Paterberg, where the Slovenian finally broke his great rival’s resistance.
Battle on the cobbled climbs
The two pre-race favourites had forged clear of a world-class peloton and arrived together at the base of the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont with 18 kilometres remaining.
Mirroring his race-winning move from last year, the four-time Tour de France winner launched a ferocious acceleration.
Van der Poel initially clung on, limiting the gap to a handful of seconds over the summit of the iconic hill.
However, the relentless pace proved too much for the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider on the subsequent Paterberg climb, which features punishing gradients exceeding 20 per cent.
Monumental history awaits
Sitting up to punch the air in triumph, the 27-year-old celebrated adding another prestigious title to his rapidly expanding palmares.
Belgian debutant Remco Evenepoel secured third place for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, finishing just ahead of compatriot Wout van Aert.
Affectionately known as De Ronde, the grueling 278km Flemish route featured 16 short but demanding climbs and several treacherous cobblestone sections.
Having already triumphed at Milan-San Remo and Strade Bianche earlier this spring, the unstoppable Slovenian has won all three races he has contested this year.
He now looks ahead to next weekend’s Paris-Roubaix, which remains the only cycling Monument missing from his extraordinary trophy cabinet.
