Sean Kelly's Classics column: Tadej Pogačar turns Tour of Flanders into a torture-fest as Remco Evenepoel silences critics

Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG dominated the Tour of Flanders, transforming the race into an intense and punishing contest for their rivals. From early on, the team set a relentless pace, with riders like Mikkel Bjerg and Nils Politt driving the tempo and causing significant distress in the peloton. The challenging weather conditions, including heavy showers and crosswinds, compounded the difficulty, leading to a brutal race that quickly thinned the field and tested the resilience of all competitors. Pogačar’s power was evident well before the traditional decisive points, as UAE Team Emirates ramped up the pace in the sidewinds and on key climbs such as the Molenberg and the Oude Kwaremont. This aggressive approach fragmented the peloton and forced a select group to the front, including Remco Evenepoel, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Mads Pedersen. Despite the high intensity and tactical moves, Pogačar’s ability to conserve energy and then unleash decisive attacks on the final ascents underscored his superior form and endurance. Remco Evenepoel’s debut at the Tour of Flanders was closely watched, with many questioning how he would handle the pressure and the race’s notorious demands. The Belgian rider exceeded expectations, contributing significantly to the pace and proving his readiness to compete at the highest level in the Classics. Although he arguably expended more energy than necessary, Evenepoel’s performance silenced critics and demonstrated his potential as a formidable contender in future editions. Pogačar’s victory not only adds another Monument to his palmarès but also positions him on the brink of a historic achievement: holding all five Monument titles simultaneously if he can succeed at Paris-Roubaix next weekend. While the cobbled classic presents a different challenge that may favour more powerful riders such as Van Aert or Van der Poel, the ongoing rivalry between Pogačar and Van der Poel promises to be a defining narrative in the coming seasons. The Tour of Flanders once again highlighted the blend of tactical acumen, physical prowess, and resilience required to triumph in cycling’s most prestigious one-day races.