Tadej Pogacar powered to his third Tour of Flanders victory on Sunday, equaling the all-time record for wins in cycling's most prestigious one-day Belgian classic. The Slovenian champion broke away solo with 18 kilometers remaining to cross the finish line in Oudenaarde with a commanding 40-second margin over Mathieu van der Poel.
The victory marks Pogacar's 12th Monument triumph, surpassing Belgian legend Roger De Vlaeminck to claim sole possession of second place in cycling's most elite category. Only Eddy Merckx stands ahead with 19 Monument victories.
Pogacar joins an exclusive group of eight riders who have won the Tour of Flanders three times, including van der Poel, Tom Boonen, and Fabian Cancellara. His dominant performance followed the same tactical blueprint as his 2023 and 2025 victories — a devastating solo attack in the final climbs that left rivals unable to respond.
Foi uma corrida louca. Não sei o que dizer, foi super difícil desde não sei que quilómetro. Foi um jogo de paciência
Tadej Pogacar — Eurosport
The decisive moment came on the third and final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, where Pogacar accelerated away from the select group of favorites. Van der Poel managed to limit the gap to 15 seconds at the summit of the Paterberg, the day's final climb, but could not sustain the pace in the flat run-in to the finish.
French outlets frame Pogacar's dominance through the lens of cycling's historical hierarchy, emphasizing his pursuit of Eddy Merckx's Monument record. They present the achievement as part of cycling's grand narrative while maintaining analytical distance from the Belgian cultural significance of the race.
Portuguese coverage celebrates Pogacar's technical mastery and strategic brilliance, positioning him as cycling's transcendent talent. They emphasize his systematic approach to Monument collection and frame his dominance as elevating the sport's competitive standards globally.
Swiss reporting focuses on the statistical and historical context of Pogacar's achievements, treating his Monument victories as measurable sporting accomplishments. They emphasize the rarity of his dominance while maintaining characteristic Swiss analytical objectivity about cycling's elite competition.
Dutch coverage reflects disappointment over van der Poel's inability to match Pogacar's dominance in a race where Dutch cycling has traditionally excelled. They frame the result as highlighting the gap between Pogacar and other elite riders, with particular focus on van der Poel's tactical limitations.
Belgian rising star Remco Evenepoel claimed third place in his Tour of Flanders debut, finishing 1 minute 24 seconds behind Pogacar. The performance highlighted his growing strength in the cobbled classics, though he rode alone for the final 50 kilometers after being dropped by the leading duo.
Wout van Aert's quest for his dream victory in Belgium's most important race continued as he finished fourth, matching his results from 2023 and 2025. The Belgian champion, who grew up dreaming of winning the Flemish Monument, was dropped on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont alongside Danish rider Mads Pedersen.
Pogacar's victory extends his perfect start to the 2026 season, having already won the Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo. The 27-year-old remains on track for cycling's ultimate achievement — winning all five Monuments in a single season, a feat never accomplished in the sport's history.
The next opportunity comes at Paris-Roubaix on April 13, where Pogacar will attempt to claim his first victory in the only Monument missing from his collection. Success there would move him within striking distance of the unprecedented Grand Slam while further cementing his status as cycling's dominant force.