'The Messi or Ronaldo of cycling' – Tadej Pogačar remains a cut above at Tour of Flanders despite superstars aligning to challenge him

Tadej Pogačar once again demonstrated his dominance in the world of professional cycling by securing victory at the 2026 Tour of Flanders, marking his 12th Monument win. This triumph places him second on the all-time list of victories in cycling’s five most prestigious one-day races, surpassing Roger De Vlaeminck and trailing only the legendary Eddy Merckx. The race featured a rare and intense showdown between cycling superstars Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel, and Wout van Aert, with the Slovenian emerging as the clear superior force on the challenging course from Antwerp to Oudenaarde. The race itself was fiercely contested, with Pogačar replicating his winning strategy from previous editions by launching a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont climb. Despite a tactical misstep by his team earlier in the race, Pogačar capitalised on the efforts of teammate Florian Vermeersch to fracture the peloton and isolate the main contenders. He then dropped Evenepoel on the Paterberg and engaged in a tactical duel with Van der Poel before ultimately riding solo for the final 18 kilometres to the finish line. This victory made him the eighth rider to claim three Tour of Flanders titles, further cementing his place in cycling history. Pogačar’s rivals and team directors alike have struggled to find an apt comparison for his extraordinary talent and consistency. Evenepoel’s directeur sportif Klaas Lodewyck likened him to football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting the Slovenian’s unparalleled ability to dominate the sport. Pogačar himself acknowledged the strength of his competitors and credited them for pushing him to new levels, while also recognising that his form continues to improve despite already being at the pinnacle of the sport. His calm and measured approach to racing, combined with his physical prowess, leaves little doubt about his status as the standout rider of this era. Looking ahead, Pogačar’s focus shifts to the upcoming Paris-Roubaix, where he aims to build on his impressive debut last year. A win there would bring him closer to an unprecedented feat: becoming the first rider to win all five Monuments in the same season. While cautious not to get ahead of himself, Pogačar’s current form and experience make him a formidable favourite, posing a significant challenge to his rivals. As the 2026 season unfolds, the cycling world will be watching closely to see if he can continue to rewrite the record books and further elevate his legacy.