The Tour of Flanders never disappoints. Two stunning solo victories, for Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky, placed both riders in the history books, as Pogačar became the first rider to win both the Tour de France and the Tour of Flanders since 1975, and Kopecky became the first to repeat a Tour of Flanders win since Mirjam Melchers in 2005-2006.
Pogačar’s victory, ahead of consummate Classics racers like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, was one that arguably elevates the Slovenian into the ranks of the all-time stars of the sport. Victories in Liège-Bastogne-Liège or Il Lombardia are not so infrequent for riders who have made a name for themselves in the Grand Tours. Flanders, though, is another story, and as Eddy Merckx – the previous rider to capture both Flanders and the Tour, way back in 1975, observed afterwards, “Pogačar can win anything.”
Kopecky had an equally tough ask, looking for a repeat victory to add to her Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Nokere Koerse successes of earlier this spring, and with all the extra pressure that being defending champion implies. The loss of her brother earlier this year gives all her success this year an added dimension that only increases fans’ and media’s respect and sympathy alike.
But any Monument is much more than its top champion, and Flanders also witnessed an excellent performance even in defeat from star Mathieu van der Poel, a gutsy third place from Mads Pedersen and some notable debuts from Americans Neilson Powless and Matteo Jorgenson.
In the women’s race, the continuing domination of SD Worx, now onto their ninth Classic victory this spring and the return to battle after COVID-19 for Elisa Longo Borghini are also major interest points. Our reporters on the ground take a look at what these multiples narratives all meant.
Mathieu van der Poel just rode his best Tour of Flanders
It’s pointless to wonder how much more Mathieu van der Poel might already have won had his career not overlapped with Wout van Aert. Like Messi and Ronaldo or Magic and Bird, the eternal rivalry has driven each man to heights he would likely never have reached alone.
Van der Poel may, however, rue the day that Tadej Pogačar developed a taste for the cobbles and hills of the Flemish Ardennes. Pogačar’s startling solo victory eclipsed everything else on Sunday, but the quality of Van der Poel’s showing should not be overlooked. On…
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