Tadej Pogačar Equals Record with Dominant Solo Victory at 2026 Tour of Flanders

Tadej Pogačar delivered another masterclass in cycling on Sunday, April 5, clinching his third Tour of Flanders victory in a display of raw power that left the world’s best riders fighting for the remaining podium spots. The Slovenian, wearing the rainbow jersey of the world champion, secured the win in Oudenaarde with a trademark solo attack, equalling the record for the most victories in the history of the race.

The victory marks Pogačar’s second Monument win of 2026, following a triumph at Milan-San Remo just over two weeks prior. By claiming his third Ronde van Vlaanderen—adding to his previous wins in 2023 and 2025—Pogačar now shares the event’s record of three wins with seven other riders, including today’s runner-up, Mathieu van der Poel.

The Decisive Move on the Oude Kwaremont

In a sequence that mirrored his 2025 victory, Pogačar launched his winning move on the third and final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, roughly 18 kilometers from the finish line. While the race had been a grueling battle of attrition through the Flemish Ardennes, this final surge proved insurmountable. Pogačar powered away, leaving Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech unable to respond.

Van der Poel, who had been the primary challenger throughout the day, crossed the line in second place, finishing 34 seconds behind the Slovenian. For those unfamiliar with the terrain, the Oude Kwaremont is one of the most feared cobbled climbs in the race, often serving as the launchpad for the winning move due to its length and punishing gradient.

A Race of Attrition

The victory was not a matter of luck but a calculated demolition orchestrated by UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The team took control of the race early, blowing the field apart with 100 kilometers remaining to neutralize an early 13-rider breakaway that included Silvan Dillier.

Pogačar began intensifying the pressure on the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont with 55 kilometers to head. While Van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel initially managed to stay in his wake, the Belgian contingent began to fray on the Paterberg. Evenepoel, making his Flanders debut for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, fought a tenacious solo pursuit of the two leaders but eventually faded, finishing third and 1 minute and 11 seconds behind Pogačar.

The conditions added a layer of unpredictability to the day, with the weather alternating between heavy rain and sudden bursts of sunshine, testing the riders’ grip and mental fortitude on the slick cobbles.

Chasing History: The Monument Count

With this win, Pogačar’s career tally rises to 12 Monuments. This achievement places him ahead of legendary rider Roger De Vlaeminck, leaving only Eddy Merckx (19) ahead of him in the all-time rankings. For a rider still in his prime, the trajectory is staggering.

The victory also keeps a historic ambition alive: the possibility of becoming the first rider to win all five Monuments in a single calendar year. Having already secured Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders, the Slovenian’s focus now shifts to the remaining classics.

What’s Next for Pogačar?

The cycling world now turns its attention to Paris-Roubaix, scheduled for next week. It remains the only one of the five Monuments that has eluded Pogačar, despite a second-place finish on his first attempt a year ago. Armed with immense confidence and the momentum of two Monument wins this spring, the world champion will look to complete his collection of the sport’s most prestigious one-day races.

For Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel, the result reinforces the current hierarchy of the classics, though both will be eager to find a way to crack the Slovenian’s dominance before the Grand Tour season begins.

Detailed results and official timings can be found via CyclingNews and L’Équipe.

Next Checkpoint: Paris-Roubaix, taking place next Sunday.