Tour of Flanders gallery: Mathieu van der Poel and Elisa Longo Borghini's spectacular triumphs in pictures

2024 Tour of Flanders winners Mathieu van der Poel and Elisa Longo Borghini
2024 Tour of Flanders winners Mathieu van der Poel and Elisa Longo Borghini (Image credit: Getty Images)

Everyone expected Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) to ride away with his third Tour of Flanders title, especially after rival Wout van Aert crashed and broke his collarbone, ribs and sternum in a crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen in the days leading up to the 2024 edition.

Writing your name into the history books as the seventh rider to win De Ronde three times is far from a simple task, however.

The world champion never put a foot wrong in the race, even as the rain fell and attacks flew. The legendary Koppenberg was Van der Poel's launching pad and his fellow competitors struggled, slipped and slid out in his wake as he stormed away on the punishing gradients.

A race that is decided on the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg in the final 20 kilometres was done and dusted before Van der Poel even reached those climbs, and the only surprising moment of the race was Luca Mozatto (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) winning the sprint for second over Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates).

The women's race was a very different story: Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) won her second Tour of Flanders while World Champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) crashed in the early part of the race and struggled uncharacteristically after two years of dominating the Tour of Flanders.

The Koppenberg was a mess for the women, too, and even Kopecky had to run as the rain pounded down. 

On the Paterberg, Van Anrooij's teammate attacked to bridge across, bringing Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) along. Longo Borghini came from behind in the three-rider sprint to snatch the win from the Polish rider.

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Mathieu Van Der Poel at the start of the Tour of Flanders

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Mathieu van der Poel looking unbothered by his status of outright favourite at the start

Belgian Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx - Protime and Dutch Marianne Vos of Team Visma-Lease a Bike pictured at the start of the women's race of the 'Ronde van Vlaanderen/ Tour des Flandres/ Tour of Flanders' one day cycling event, 163km with start and finish in Oudenaarde, Sunday 31 March 2024. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

World Champion Lotte Kopecky (left) was also the outright favourite before the start

Jasper Jacobs/Getty Images

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Flanders scenes.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

The Flanders flag was flown all over the course

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

The early kilometres were run on wider roads for safety

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - The peloton.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

The peloton enjoyed dry roads in the first half of the race

OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - MARCH 31: (L-R) Chloe Dygert of The United States and Team Canyon//SRAM Racing, Floortje Mackaij of The Netherlands and Movistar Team, Elinor Barker of The United Kingdom and Team Uno-X Mobility and Antri Christoforou of Cyprus and Team Roland compete during the 21st Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres 2024 - Women's Elite a 163km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde on March 31, 2024 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The early breakaway in the women's Tour of Flanders

Luc Claessen/Getty Images

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - The peloton.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Oscar Riesebeek represented Alpecin-Deceuninck in the early breakaway

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - The breakaway.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Riders pass one of the picturesque windmills

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OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - MARCH 31: A general view of the peloton competing during the 21st Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres 2024 - Women's Elite a 163km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde / #UCIWWT / on March 31, 2024 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rain falls on the women's race

Luc Claessen/Getty Images

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Biniam Girmaye, Intermarche Wanty.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Biniam Girmay on the Oude Kwaremont

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Mathieu van der Poel in the peloton with a tailwind obvious by the Flanders flags

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Mathieu van der Poel comes to the fore on the Oude Kwaremont

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mads Pedersen, Lidl Trek.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Mads Pedersen leads Oier Lazkano

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck, Matteo Jorgensen, Visma Lease a Bike.

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Matteo Jorgenson rides side by side with Mathieu van der Poel

Dutch Lucinda Brand of Lidl-Trek pictured in action during the women's race of the 'Ronde van Vlaanderen/ Tour des Flandres/ Tour of Flanders' one day cycling event, 163km with start and finish in Oudenaarde, Sunday 31 March 2024. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

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Lucinda Brand rides in the peloton

Jasper Jacobs/Getty Images

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Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Ivan Garcia Cortina, Team Movistar.

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Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) on a solo move before the Koppenberg

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Ivan Garcia Cortina, Team Movistar.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Poor Ivan Garcia Cortina was off the front on the Koppenberg but had a mechanical and had to run

Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck pictured in action on the Koppenberg during the men's race of the 'Ronde van Vlaanderen/ Tour des Flandres/ Tour of Flanders' one day cycling event, 270,8km from Antwerp to Oudenaarde, Sunday 31 March 2024. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)

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Mathieu van der Poel attacked on the Koppenberg in the rain to avoided the mayhem

image David Pintens/Getty Images

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Sander De Pestel, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, crashes on the Koppenberg.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Behind Van der Poel, it was pure chaos on the Koppenberg

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Riders walk up the Koppenberg.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

At the other end of the peloton, riders slid out and caused traffic jams

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mikkel Bjerg, UAE Team Emirates.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Mikkel Bjerg finds that slipping on the Koppenberg is not how you want to stretch the adductors

OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - MARCH 31: (L-R) Demi Vollering of The Netherlands and Lotte Kopecky of Belgium and Team SD Worx - Protime compete passing through the Koppenberg cobblestones sector during the 21st Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres 2024 - Women's Elite a 163km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde / #UCIWWT / on March 31, 2024 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Rafa Gomez - Pool/Getty Images)

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Lotte Kopecky (right) runs up the Koppenberg

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Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

After the Koppenberg, Van der Poel was on his own

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Flanders scenes.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Fans enjoy all the action

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Tiesj Benoot, Visma Lease a Bike.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike) gives his all

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Magnus Sheffield, Ineos Grenadiers.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Josh Tarling and Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers)

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Van der Poel makes light work of the Paterberg

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Antonio Morgado, UAE Team Emirates.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

UAE Team Emirates' kits are barely visible under all the filth but the team stacked the top 10 with Politt, Bjerg and Morgado

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Van der Poel on his solo attack

Tiesj Benoot, Visma Lease a Bike.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Without Wout van Aert after his crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen, Visma-Lease a Bike were at a disadvantage

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Mathieu van der Poel on the final climbs before his third Tour of Flanders victory

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Alberto Bettiol, EF Education Easypost.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Alberto Bettiol flies the flag for EF Education-EasyPost

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Oliver Naesen, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Oliver Naesen (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale)

2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Antonio Morgado, UAE Team Emirates.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Antonio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates) experiences the agony of the Tour of Flanders for the first time, finishing fifth

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck, wins the 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Ecstasy for Mathieu van der Poel

Lidl-Trek's Italian rider Elisa Longo Borghini celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the women's race of the 'Ronde van Vlaanderen' (Tour des Flandres) one day cycling race, 163 km from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde, on March 31, 2024. (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Thrills for Elisa Longo Borghini

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Stefan Kung, Groupama FDJ.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Less ecstasy for Stefan Küng who finished 41st

OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - MARCH 31: Demi Vollering of The Netherlands and Team SD Worx - Protime reacts after the 21st Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres 2024 - Women's Elite a 163km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde / #UCIWWT / on March 31, 2024 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Demi Vollering after finishing eighth

SD Worx' Belgian rider Lotte Kopecky reacts after competing in the women's race of the 'Ronde van Vlaanderen' (Tour des Flandres) one day cycling race, 163 km from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde, on March 31, 2024. (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lotte Kopecky was the top SD Worx-Protime rider in fifth place

Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com - 31/03/2024 - Cycling - 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Mathieu Van Der Poel, Alpecin Deceuninck, wins the 2024 Ronde Van Vlaanderen.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWPix.com)

Van der Poel gathers himself after a gruelling effort

OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - MARCH 31: (L-R) Shirin Van Anrooij of The Netherlands and race winner Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek react after the 21st Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres 2024 - Women's Elite a 163km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde / #UCIWWT / on March 31, 2024 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shirin Van Anrooij (left) gets a hug from teammate and race winner Elisa Longo Borghini

From left: Second place Canyon-SRAM Polish roder Katarzyna Niewiadoma, winner Lidl-Trek's Italian rider Elisa Longo Borghini, and third place Lidl-Trek's Dutch rider Shirin Van Anrooij celebrate on the podium following the women's race of the 'Ronde van Vlaanderen' (Tour des Flandres) one day cycling race, 163 km from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde, on March 31, 2024. (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Precious memories for the podium finishers

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Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.