Mathieu van der Poel has sized up his opposition for this Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, where he will go head-to-head in a rare face-off with Tadej Pogačar, Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen and surprise debutant Remco Evenepoel.
The Dutchman, who is chasing a record fourth title at De Ronde, said it was no disadvantage to add another elite rider of the calibre of Evenepoel to the start line, noting that “The more strong riders there are, the faster the race opens up.”
Van der Poel is the second favourite for victory, just behind defending champion Pogačar, and after preparing in Spain for the big appointment, he’s raring to get the 280-kilometre epic started in Antwerp.
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“There might be even more favourites this year than last. Starting with Tadej Pogacar, of course,” said Van der Poel on Alpecin-Premier Tech’s website. “But over the past weeks I’ve also seen a strong Wout van Aert, who is getting back to his best level. Mads Pedersen has also been improving race after race.
“And then there is, of course, the much-discussed participation of Remco Evenepoel. It’s his first time here, but he’s a top-class rider and he has a strong team around him. Just think of my former teammate Gianni Vermeersch, who knows this race inside out.
“We definitely shouldn’t underestimate Remco. And yes, I’m glad he’s at the start. The more strong riders there are, the faster the race opens up. That’s not a disadvantage for me.”
Evenepoel’s participation adds another top climber to the favourites list, alongside the Slovenian, with Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pedersen as the Classics specialists, who have been unable to match the climbing power of Pogačar in his past two appearances in 2023 and 2025.
As one of just seven men to have the equal record of three titles at De Ronde, Van der Poel is chasing history and a potential fourth crown in the Flemish epic, but – while noting the significance of such an achievement – he isn’t thinking too much of history in the build-up.
“Of course I’m aware of that, and it would be something very special. But I approach the race with the same mindset as always: to try and win,” said Van der Poel.
“If that eventually leads to a record, I will cherish it. There was a time when winning the Tour of Flanders just once felt like a distant dream. Becoming the…
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