With this victory, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) entered history: his third victory in Flanders Most Beautiful (he also won in 2020 and 2022), meaning that he joins Fabian Cancellara, Tom Boonen, Johan Museeuw, Eric Leman, Fiorenzo Magni and Achiel Buysse are shown. The fact that he won his victory with the rainbow jersey around his shoulders makes the achievement all the more beautiful.
Mathieu van der Poel made his move on the wet Koppenberg. Apart from the world champion, only Matteo Jorgenson and Mads Pedersen emerged separated on their bikes. The rest were on foot. Below the Koppenberg, Van der Poel’s lead over the American was seven seconds, but despite the fact that it was still 44 kilometers when he started his raid, he decided to continue. Matteo Jorgenson was hit by the hammer five kilometers further and the American from Visma-Lease a Bike was already 34 seconds behind. It quickly became clear that he did not have the same legs as on Wednesday in Dwars door Vlaanderen.
“Toughest Round”
Not that it all went smoothly for Van der Poel. “It was survival today,” he said after the finish. “This is the toughest Tour I have ever ridden, due to the weather conditions. It was really the last 20 kilometers of driving to the finish with your eyes closed, to get there as quickly as possible. Have I been able to think a lot? I was so devastated that I couldn’t really do that.”
Can he repeat his feat again next week in Paris-Roubaix? “I’m not thinking about that yet. I’m fucked up and completely drained. My season is already a success. Winning the Tour as world champion is a dream come true.”
Matthews declassified
A difficult ending for Van der Poel, but after the Koppenberg only one question remained: who would be allowed to celebrate with the specialist of Flanders Most Beautiful? Pedersen, Bettiol, Jorgenson, Garcia Cortina, Teuns, Rex or Wellens? It was a very fascinating spectacle, with a surprising denouement. Although far behind Mathieu van der Poel, who was also exhausted towards the end. Dylan Teuns and Alberto Bettiol had a view of the places of honor, but fell in the last hundred meters.
Luca Mozzato and Michael Matthews crossed the finish line in second and third, but Matthews was declassified because he deviated too much from his line during the sprint. As a result, Nils Politt ultimately finished third on the podium.
Naesen beste Belg
Oliver Naesen was ultimately the best Belgian with seventh place. After a fourth place in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad, this is proof that Greg Van Avermaet’s training friend is back.
Dylan Teuns seems to have been relieved of the reflux problems that ruined his start to the season. He did have a good test in the Ardennes last week, but that is something different from riding the final of the Tour of Flanders. In the end, an eighth place was only a meager harvest.
We didn’t see Tiesj Benoot again after the Koppenberg. He also still has problems with his ribs and that does not lie in the toughest race in Flanders. In addition, he had problems with the gearbox and an idler in the last kilometers.
Result 108th Tour of Flanders1. Mathieu van der Poel2. Luca Mozzato 3. Nils Politt4. Mikkel Bjerg5. Antonio Morgado6. Magnus Sheffield7. Oliver Naessen8. Dylan Teuns9. Alberto Bettiol10. Toms Skuijns
