‘Big Four? It’s a Big One’ - Van der Poel singles out Pogacar as Flanders favourite

“Everybody is talking about the big four, but It is maybe the big one today,” Van der Poel said at the start to Eurosport. “It was clear the last two times he won here. When he went on the Oude Kwaremont, nobody had an answer.” The rider in question, of course, is Tadej Pogačar, who starts as the man to beat.

Van der Poel, who won the race himself in 2020, 2022 and 2024, knows what that means for the race ahead. “It’s going to be very difficult to beat him,” he admitted. “But it’s racing, so you never know.”

Despite Pogacar’s dominance in 2023 and 2025, Van der Poel is not planning to change his approach. Asked whether he might race more cautiously this time, he was clear. “It depends on my legs. If I have the legs, I always race aggressively,” he said.

There is, however, an inherent risk in going head to head with Pogačar. Working together could ultimately play into the Slovenian’s hands, but Van der Poel dismisses the idea of holding back. “If you don’t ride, it also shows you’re afraid,” he said. “If I have the legs, I go. That won’t be different today.”

Alongside the established rivalry, another subplot adds intrigue: the debut of Remco Evenepoel. For Van der Poel, the Belgian’s presence only raises the level of competition. “Everybody knows his talent and how good he is, especially in one day races,” he said. “He’s maybe the biggest candidate for the win next to Pogačar.”

As for his own chances of stopping Pogačar from adding yet another Monument to his palmarès, Van der Poel remains cautiously hopeful. “I hope so,” he said. “The last two times I wasn’t able to follow. Hopefully today.”