Pogacar's thoughts turn to Roubaix after winning 'really crazy' Tour of Flanders

When UAE Team Emirates-XRG forced the first major selection with more than 100km to go on the Molenberg, it briefly looked as though they had created the ideal conditions for the debutant Evenepoel.

Pogačar, however, would take control on the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont with 55km to go, where only Evenepoel and Van der Poel could follow his onslaught. He would shake off Evenepoel on the following Paterberg, while Van der Poel stuck with him until the last time up the Kwaremont.

Like in 2023 and 2025, however, Pogačar simply had too much for his old rival on that uneven sea of cobbles, and he would press clear en route to another emphatic Ronde victory.

“It was a really crazy race today, I think,” Pogačar said in his flash interview afterwards. “I don’t know what to say, it was super hard from I don’t know which kilometre. Then it was a bit of a waiting game but still it was effort, pushing on the pedals all the time. When the group formed, I was happy that we kid of cooperated and then it was in good favour for me.”

Pogačar distanced Evenepoel after the Belgian had ridden side by side with him up the Paterberg. Evenepoel chased doggedly thereafter, but it was evident that Pogačar did not want his company in the finale. When Evenepoel closed to within touching distance ahead of the Koppenberg and again before the Maria Borrestraat, Pogačar piled on the pressure to ensure he didn’t catch back up.

“For sure I didn’t want Remco back into the group because I know how good an endurance rider he is,” Pogačar said. “He can always overcome in the end and beat you. I really tried to make a gap, and it was good.”

Pogačar soloed into Oudenaarde 34 seconds up on Van der Poel and over a minute clear of Evenepoel to claim a record-equalling third Tour of Flanders and his twelfth Monument in total. 

He has a chance to add that tally and complete a full set of Monuments at Paris-Roubaix that week, when he will also seek to continue an astonishing unbeaten run that stretches back to last year’s World Championships road race in Rwanda.

Pogačar proceeded to win the European Championships, the Tre Valli Varesine and Il Lombardia at the end of 2025, and he has now won three races from three in 2026, following his victories at Strade Bianche and Milan-Sanremo.

“I don’t race too much, no, so when I race there’s pressure to win,” Pogačar said. “So far everything went perfect for me, so I can be more than happy. Coming next week to Roubaix, I can go motivated and try to enjoy the cobbles.”