Van der Poel dominates Tour of Flanders with commanding third win

BRUSSELS: Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel showcased his dominance once again on Sunday as he claimed his third Tour of Flanders title with a stunning performance. Van der Poel’s relentless long-range attack, characterized by a blistering acceleration on the Koppenberg cobbled ascent, left his rivals trailing behind.

With this victory, van der Poel now boasts an impressive tally of five Monument titles, firmly establishing himself as one of cycling’s elite. His strategic move on the grueling ascent, situated 45 kilometers from the finish, proved to be decisive, as several competitors were unable to match his pace and were forced to step off their bikes.

The Tour of Flanders is one of cycling’s prestigious Monuments, alongside Milan-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and the Giro di Lombardia. Van der Poel’s triumph adds to his illustrious list of achievements, having previously clinched victories in Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix last year.

As he sets his sights on the upcoming Paris-Roubaix, van der Poel emerges as the frontrunner for the coveted Flanders-Roubaix double. His unparalleled performance in the rain-soaked Belgian terrain underscores his prowess as a formidable competitor.

Notably absent from the race was local favorite Wout van Aert, who sustained injuries in the Dwars door Vlanderen one-day race earlier in the week.

Defending champion Tadej Pogacar opted out of the Tour of Flanders, focusing instead on his pursuit of a Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double this season.