'When I race there is pressure to win' – Tadej Pogačar triumphs at the Tour of Flanders for a record-equalling third victory

Tadej Pogačar secured a record-equalling third victory at the Tour of Flanders, asserting his dominance with a decisive solo attack on the third ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. The Slovenian World Champion dropped Mathieu van der Poel, the only rider able to match his pace on earlier climbs, before powering to the finish line in Oudenaarde. This win marked Pogačar’s twelfth Monument triumph and extended van der Poel’s remarkable streak of seven consecutive podium finishes in the race, with the Dutchman settling for second place. The race featured notable performances from other top contenders, including Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel, who impressed in his Tour of Flanders debut by finishing third after being dropped on the Paterberg. Belgian star Wout van Aert continued his resurgence in the Classics with a fourth-place finish, maintaining consistency by replicating his result from the previous two years. Pogačar acknowledged the threat posed by Evenepoel, highlighting the Belgian’s endurance and his own efforts to create a gap to prevent a late challenge. Pogačar’s victory adds to an already stellar start to his season, having won all three races he has contested, including two Monuments. He now boasts four consecutive Monument wins, with Paris-Roubaix remaining the only major classic yet to be conquered. Reflecting on his approach, Pogačar admitted that despite racing sparingly, the pressure to win is always present when he does compete, a challenge he has met with remarkable success so far. Looking ahead, Pogačar expressed motivation and optimism as he prepares for Paris-Roubaix, the iconic cobbled classic that follows next week. His confidence is buoyed by recent performances, and he aims to enjoy the unique challenges of the race while continuing his pursuit of further victories. The Tour of Flanders results reaffirm Pogačar’s status as one of the preeminent figures in contemporary cycling, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the spring Classics season.