Flanders 26: De Ronde Delivers — Pogačar Strikes Again

Tadej Pogačar once again demonstrated his dominance in the cobbled classics by securing a commanding solo victory at the 2026 Tour of Flanders. Launching a decisive attack on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, the world champion distanced his closest rival, Mathieu van der Poel, to claim his third win in this prestigious Monument race. Remco Evenepoel, making his debut at de Ronde, impressed by finishing third, while Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen rounded out the top five in a fiercely contested event that unfolded over 278.2 kilometres from Antwerp to Oudenaarde. The race featured early tactical manoeuvres, including a 13-man breakaway that gained an advantage following a chaotic railway crossing incident which briefly split the peloton. UAE Team Emirates controlled the pace, particularly on the cobbled climbs, where they gradually whittled down the field to an elite group of around 15 riders. The Molenberg climb proved pivotal in fracturing the peloton, setting the stage for the dramatic finale. Despite rain adding to the challenge, the favourites watched each other closely until the decisive moves began on the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. Pogačar’s first attack on the Oude Kwaremont was met with immediate responses from Van Aert and Van der Poel, but it was his second, more forceful surge on the Paterberg that truly reshaped the race. Evenepoel, who had been hanging on, was dropped at this point, leaving Pogačar and Van der Poel to contest the victory. The Slovenian’s relentless power and timing on the final Oude Kwaremont saw him break clear, gradually extending his lead to 45 seconds by the finish line in Oudenaarde. Van der Poel’s valiant effort secured second place, while Evenepoel’s strong debut performance earned him a credible third. The race underscored Pogačar’s growing mastery of the cobbled classics, a terrain traditionally dominated by Belgian and Dutch riders. His ability to time his attacks and maintain sustained power over the punishing climbs confirmed his status as a versatile and formidable competitor. For Evenepoel, the podium finish on his first Tour of Flanders signals a promising future in the one-day classics, while Van der Poel and Van Aert will no doubt be motivated to respond in upcoming races. The 2026 edition of de Ronde once again highlighted the tactical depth and physical demands that make it a cornerstone of the cycling calendar.