'I was riding 650 watts and still couldn't follow' – Mathieu van der Poel cracks to finish second again behind 'unbeatable' Tadej Pogačar in Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel once again found himself unable to overcome Tadej Pogačar at the Tour of Flanders, finishing second behind the Slovenian’s dominant performance. Despite pushing himself to an extraordinary power output of 650 watts, Van der Poel admitted he simply could not match Pogačar’s strength during the decisive moments on the Oude Kwaremont. Pogačar’s victory marked his third Tour of Flanders title, a record achievement that underscores his current supremacy in the classics. The race unfolded with Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates aggressively setting the pace on the Molenberg, thinning the lead group to only the strongest riders. Van der Poel and Pogačar broke clear together over the Paterberg, leaving Remco Evenepoel behind, but it was clear that Pogačar was doing the lion’s share of the work. Ultimately, the final ascent of the Kwaremont proved too much for Van der Poel, who cracked under the relentless pressure and crossed the line 34 seconds behind the winner. Van der Poel’s team co-owner, Philip Roodhooft, was quick to praise the Dutchman’s effort, emphasising that the performance was far from a defeat given the calibre of the opposition. Van der Poel himself acknowledged the gap in strength but remained positive about his form, describing his ride as one of his best ever. He also looked ahead to Paris-Roubaix, where he has previously bested Pogačar, expressing confidence in his ability to challenge again on the cobbles. The rivalry between Van der Poel and Pogačar is shaping up to be a defining storyline of the spring classics, with Pogačar’s recent ascendancy posing a significant challenge to Van der Poel’s hopes of adding a fourth Tour of Flanders win to his palmarès. While Van der Poel remains a formidable contender, it appears Pogačar’s all-round strength and tactical nous are currently unmatched. Both riders will now turn their focus to upcoming races, with Paris-Roubaix next on the calendar and another opportunity for Van der Poel to test his limits against the Slovenian.