Tadej Pogacar Dominates Tour des Flandres for Third Time, Sets Sights on Paris-Roubaix

Tadej Pogacar didn’t just win the Tour des Flandres on Sunday, April 5; he dismantled the world’s best climbers and classics specialists in a display of raw power that left the field searching for answers. The Slovenian world champion claimed his third victory in the prestigious race, securing the 12th Monument of his career and sending a definitive warning to the peloton ahead of next week’s Paris-Roubaix.

Tadej Pogacar a remporté dimanche 5 avril son troisième Tour des Flandres en s’imposant en solitaire à Audenaarde, devançant Mathieu van der Poel et Remco Evenepoel. Le Slovène égale le record de victoires sur le Monument flandrien et vise désormais le Grand Chelem avec Paris-Roubaix.

The victory in Audenaarde marks a historic milestone for Pogacar, who now equals Mathieu van der Poel’s record for the most wins in this specific Monument. For the UAE Team Emirates rider, this win is more than just another trophy; it is the fourth Monument victory in a row, cementing a run of form that borders on the untouchable.

The Decisive Move at Vieux Quaremont

The race reached its boiling point 57 kilometers from the finish line. During the second passage of the Vieux Quaremont, Pogacar launched a devastating attack that split the lead group. Even as most of the 28-rider chase group was left behind, only three riders possessed the legs to stay with him: Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel.

Pogacar’s dominance became absolute during the third and final ascent of the Vieux Quaremont. In a clinical sequence of accelerations, he systematically dropped his rivals. Van Aert, Evenepoel, and van der Poel were scattered one by one, leaving the Slovenian to ride the final stretch in solitary brilliance.

Reflecting on the effort, Pogacar described the event as “a bit of a crazy race” and noted that it required a “continuous effort, at every single moment.” Despite the solo finish, he credited his support system, stating that his teammates were “incredible” and performed “superb perform” to set him in a winning position.

A Record-Breaking Career Trajectory

With 12 Monuments now to his name, Pogacar is rewriting the history books of professional cycling. The “Monuments” are the five most prestigious and difficult one-day races in the sport, and Pogacar’s ability to win across different terrains—from high mountains to the brutal cobbles of Flanders—is nearly unprecedented.

The world champion’s performance on Sunday was characterized by a level of confidence and agility that left his opponents stranded. Even in the face of aggressive racing from the top tier of the peloton, Pogacar remained “on his own planet,” as evidenced by how easily he distanced Evenepoel, whose endurance Pogacar specifically mentioned as a threat he wanted to neutralize early.

The Road to Paris-Roubaix

While the Tour des Flandres is a crowning achievement, the cycling world is already looking toward the “Hell of the North.” Paris-Roubaix, scheduled for next Sunday, remains the only major prize eluding Pogacar in his quest for a clean sweep of the spring classics—a feat often referred to as the Grand Chelem.

Pogacar has made it clear that he is heading into Roubaix with maximum motivation. His victory in Flanders serves as a “strong message” to the competition that he is peaking at exactly the right moment. For a rider who has already conquered the Flemish hills, the flat, brutal pavé of northern France is the final frontier.

Evenepoel Reconsiders Roubaix

The race also served as a significant debut for Remco Evenepoel in the Tour des Flandres. Despite being dropped by Pogacar in the closing stages, Evenepoel’s performance was strong enough to make him reconsider his plans for the upcoming week. Previously uncertain about his participation in Paris-Roubaix, Evenepoel has now stated that he is “leaving the door open” for a start in the race following his successful Flanders debut.

As the peloton recovers and prepares for the final cobbled classic of the season, the narrative has shifted. The question is no longer who can challenge Tadej Pogacar, but whether anyone can stop him from completing the most dominant spring in modern cycling history.

The next confirmed checkpoint is Paris-Roubaix, taking place next Sunday, where Pogacar will attempt to secure the one remaining trophy that eludes him.

Do you think Pogacar can complete the Grand Chelem next week, or will the cobbles of Roubaix provide a different result? Let us grasp in the comments below.