'He's one level above all the rest' - Mathieu van der Poel names Tadej Pogačar as top favourite to win 2026 Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel has identified Tadej Pogačar as the clear favourite for the 2026 Tour of Flanders, describing the Slovenian as "one level above all the rest" following his recent victories in the race. Despite a crash and injuries at Milan-San Remo, Van der Poel remains determined to race aggressively and challenge Pogačar, while also acknowledging the threat posed by Remco Evenepoel, who he sees as a strong contender alongside the reigning World Champion. The Dutchman emphasised the unpredictable nature of racing but admitted that beating Pogačar, especially on the Kwaremont, will be a formidable task.