Tadej Pogacar has written himself deeper into cycling legend by claiming a third successive victory at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, April 5, 2026. The Slovenian superstar outclassed the field on the iconic cobbled climbs of Belgium once again, with Remco Evenepoel — the great Belgian hope — unable to match his devastating acceleration on the final ascent of the Kwaremont.
Pogacar Completes the Hat-Trick
Pogacar’s third Ronde van Vlaanderen title confirms what many cycling fans have suspected for some time — that he is the most complete classics rider of his generation, and arguably ever. His ability to combine Grand Tour dominance with Monument victories sets him apart from virtually every rider in the history of the sport.
On the Kwaremont, where the race is so often decided, Pogacar made his decisive move to drop his rivals one by one. Mathieu van der Poel, who had been in contention throughout the day and is the only rider who can genuinely challenge Pogacar on the cobbles, was ultimately unable to respond on this occasion. Van der Poel was gracious in defeat, congratulating the winner after the finish in Oudenaarde.
Remco Evenepoel’s Heartbreak
For the Belgian fans lining the roads of Flanders, the day brought familiar feelings of near-miss frustration. Remco Evenepoel, the country’s greatest cycling talent since Eddy Merckx in terms of potential, was in the selection at key moments but could not stay with Pogacar when the Slovenian put the hammer down.
Evenepoel had been trending on Google in the UK as race fans searched for updates on the Belgian’s performance, such is the level of interest he generates across European cycling communities. His time will come — at 26, he remains in the prime years of his career — but on this evidence, catching Pogacar at the spring Monuments may require a very different tactical approach.
A Dream Podium in Oudenaarde
The podium at Oudenaarde was described by commentators as “sprookjesachtig” — fairy-tale — a fitting word for a day that delivered once again on the extraordinary promise that Belgian classic cycling always holds. The cobbled climbs, the farm roads, the roaring crowds in every village — the Tour of Flanders remains one of the most captivating sporting spectacles in the world, and 2026’s edition delivered fully on that reputation.
Van der Poel finished on the podium alongside Pogacar, making it a day dominated by two of cycling’s biggest names. The depth of talent in the peloton was evident throughout, with several young riders demonstrating they are ready to challenge for Monument honours in the coming years.
Pogacar’s Remarkable Season
Pogacar’s Flanders win adds to what is already shaping up to be another remarkable season. He has continued to redefine what is possible in professional cycling — targeting and winning races across radically different terrain and disciplines with apparent ease.
For UK fans in particular, who tend to follow cycling closely during the spring classics season, Pogacar and Evenepoel’s rivalry has been one of the most compelling storylines in sport in recent years. Their battles on the cobbled roads of Belgium and the mountain passes of the Grand Tours have elevated the sport to new levels of mainstream interest.
With Paris-Roubaix, the next Monument on the calendar, now approaching, the question on every cycling fan’s lips is simple: can anyone stop Tadej Pogacar?