Photo source: Getty Images. ByMike Peter. Un journaliste sportif pour la BBC. 5 aprilie 2026. Deux cent treize commentaires Defending champion Tadej Pogacar claimed a record-tying third Tour of Flanders victory in commanding style, dropping Mathieu van der Poel 18km from the finish. The 27-year-old has now won both Monument races this season, following his triumph at Milan-San Remo in March. Sunday’s win puts him level with Van der Poel and six other riders on three victories at the Belgian classic, including his 2023 success. He now boasts 53 Monument wins—the five most prestigious one-day races in men’s road cycling—placing him second on the all-time list behind only Eddy Merckx’s 19. “It was a really crazy race today.” “I don’t know what to say—super tough starting from I don’t know which kilometer,” Pogacar told Belgian television. “I don’t race too often, so when I do, there’s pressure to win.” Everything has gone perfectly so far, so I’m more than happy. “Coming next week to Roubaix, I’ll be motivated, but I’m trying to enjoy the cobbles.”
