As it happened: Winning record equalled at Tour of Flanders 2026
Tadej Pogačar took the win ahead of Mathieu van der Poel and debutant Remco Evenepoel.
Tour of Flanders 2026 - Preview
Results
Tour of Flanders: Indomitable Tadej Pogačar solos to repeat victory after Oude Kwaremont attack
Pos | Rider (Country) Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
1 | Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates-XRG | 6:20:07 |
2 | Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Premier Tech | 0:00:34 |
3 | Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe | 0:01:11 |
4 | Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma-Lease a Bike | 0:02:04 |
5 | Mads Pedersen (Den) Lidl-Trek | 0:02:48 |
6 | Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Soudal-Quickstep | 0:04:28 |
7 | Florian Vermeersch (Bel) UAE Team Emirates-XRG | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
8 | Matej Mohorič (Slo) Bahrain Victorious | 0:04:30 |
9 | Christophe Laporte (Fra) Visma-Lease a Bike | 0:05:22 |
10 | Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
It was a surprise on April Fool's Day that the announcement of Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) wasn't a joke and very definitely is happening! Whether you like how they did the announcement or not, it captured the attention of the cycling world!
Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live report of the men's Tour of Flanders/Ronde Van Vlaanderen 2026!
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is, obviously, the big favourite for today. However, he is a bit concerned about the ability of Evenepoel and his unpredictability...
Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) refuses to be included in the discussion when it comes to the biggest names of the sport...
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) seems very pleased that Evenepoel has decided to debut at the Ronde this year...
The riders have started the neutral zone. Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) clipped a wheel as they started and hit the barriers. He is back riding.
The startlist is absolutely stacked! Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout Van Aert, Mads Pedersen and Remco Evenepoel among a long list of super talents.
Unibet Rose Rockets are the next to launch a move and he gets a gap but he's dragged back.
No break for the moment.
Attack by Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise) but nothing is being allowed to go just yet.
Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) begins to control the peloton.
Hugo de la Calle (Burgos-Burpellet-BH) is the next to try a move but nothing is going for the moment.
Puncture for Fabian Lienhard (Tudor).
Colby Simmons (EF Education-EasyPost) launches clear and has a gap. Riders trying to join but the headwind is meaning that attackers just drag the rest of the peloton.
Simmons brought back but now Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) drags three other riders clear including Fredrik Frison (Pinarello-Q36.5) but Albert Torres (Movistar) closes things down again.
Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) is at the team car with radio issues.
The moves continue to come bit they just aren't getting the gap. Marco Haller (Tudor) involved in this latest move with Jon Barrenetxea (Movistar) and a few others. The Spaniard has been riding really well in this Classics season with a couple of 12th places in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and Dwars door Vlaanderen.
It's wave after wave of attacks but the peloton don't even seem to be trying and just manage to bring it back every time.
There is a strong headwind which is killing any attacker's momentum.
Evenepoel is making his debut at the race today...
Van Aert rolling back into the peloton after a natural break and a quick chat at the car.
Van Aert gets back in with Stan Dewulf (Decathlon-CMA CGM) immediately starting up a conversation with him.
Half an hour in and there is still no break. One Flanders-Baloise rider has a small gap but, yet again, it is swiftly closed down.
Tomáš Kopecký (Unibet Rose Rockets) is the next lone rider to get a gap on the peloton as they ride into Sint-Niklaas. Kopecký is joined by a rider from Bahrain Victorious and Pinarello-Q36.5 but TotalEnergies is leading the string of riders that will bring the peloton back to them yet again.
Van der Poel joins Van Aert in rejecting favourite status and pushes all the pressure on Pogačar...
A break is forming! About 15 riders involved.
Breakaway:
The break now have over 40" on the peloton.
Dillier isn't doing any work in the break.
It looks like the peloton is gone but Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is on the front and still has the peloton rather strung out. However, lots of riders are taking the chance to have a natural break.
De Pooter at the back of the break attempting to take his overshoes off but the pace is high so it he is having a bit of trouble.
Van der Poel before the start today...
The gap is continuing to grow for the 12 man break with a gap of 1'47" between them and the Bjerg led peloton.
Interestingly, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have a rider in second wheel behind Bjerg. Alpecin-Premier Tech, Lidl-Trek and Tudor also have a presence near the front.
The gap grows to 2'20" on the peloton. Bjerg looking around and is on the radio as well.
De Pooter has finally got his overshoes off and he hands them back to the team car.
Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) comes back to the front again ahead of a large group of Groupama-FDJ United riders, interestingly. Romain Grégoire performed well at Dwars door Vlaanderen but couldn't follow the attack of Van Aert on the Nokereberg.
Just over an hour done and the average speed is around 46kph. It has been a rapid start.
Tadej Pogačar speaking before the start today...
Lamperti back at the car in the break for a new bidon and some gels. Maybe a bit of Easter egg as well?
Bike change for Martijn Rasenberg (Unibet Rose Rockets).
The first abandon of the day comes as a blow for Evenepoel as it is the Austalian leadout man, Jarrad Drizners (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who had left the race before reaching the first cobbles of the day.
It is interesting watching teams come and go from the front and you don't really notice it happen. Ineos Grenadiers have disappeared and now XDS Astana and Picnic-PostNL are the teams up to the front with a rider from Tudor and TotalEnergies just behind Bjerg.
The break are riding really well and the gap is up to 3'20" over the peloton.
Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-QuickStep) is hoping to take his rivals off guard and take a surprise win, just like he did a few years ago at Milan-San Remo.
The peloton has been split into two due to a level crossing closing!
Race neutralised
The front part of the peloton has been neutralised after the level crossing closed. The UAE riders are not happy but Pogačar seems absolutely fine with it. As all of their riders have made it through. Van der Poel has been caught in the split.
Evenepoel is in the group with Pogačar. But the peloton are coming back led by Alpecin-Premier Tech and Visma-Lease a Bike.
The peloton has now lost a minute and a half on the break with over five minutes splitting them.
UAE come to the front en masse now and are pushing much harder as the break has 5'08" on the peloton.
It is raining! The roads are wet and this will add another layer of difficulty.
Van Aert back at the car to get a rain jacket on.
Lots of riders stopping to get wet weather gear.
Fortunately for the riders, the rain has stopped.
The peloton in one long line as Bjerg continues his pace setting.
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The time gap has dropped to just over five minutes. Bjerg is doing well but Oliveira has joined him in the chase.
Two hours done and the average speed is still up to 45kph.
The gap is stable at 5'13" for the race with the break riding so well at the front ahead of the peloton that is still led by Bjerg.
Van Aert back at the car yet again getting rid of his wet weather gear.
Laurence Pithie talking to James Moultrie before the start today about the inclusion of Evenepoel in the race:
"It is different when you have someone like Remco who can really change a race. His confidence, his motivation, it's crazy to see the champion mindset like his.
"I think he is super enthusiastic to go full, and we're also super enthusiastic to help him as much as we can. Arguably, you could say we have one of the strongest lineups just without the superstar. So, now Remco has come in, I think he's set."
The Kiwi added his thoughts on the day itself:
UAE Team Emirates-XRG have really powered on the pace led by Bjerg, of course.
The break finishes the Lippenhovestraat and head onto the Padestraat shortly afterwards.
Van der Poel, Pogačar, Evenepoel, Van Aert, Pedersen and the other big names all moved to the front of the peloton as they begin the Lippenhovestraat. Bjerg leads the peloton onto the cobbles.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG have complete control of the peloton on these early cobbled sections.
There's a split in the peloton after the Padestraat. Bjerg continued a very high pace and there's a huge group that has missed this split with Pinarello-Q36.5, Groupama-FDJ United and Movistar leading the chase.
Over a minute has been taken out of the breakaway since starting the Lippenhovestraat. 4'27" between the break and the peloton.
Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) caught out of the back. He's at the car but there's no stress in the bunch.
The second peloton is about 10 to 15 seconds behind the front part of the peloton.
Just about 4km until the first look at Oudenaarde as the two pelotons come back together again. 4'42" up to the breakaway.
The rain begins to fall yet again. 15km to the first ascent of three on the Oude Kwaremont.
The break ride through the centre of Oudenaarde, passed the square and the Tour of Flanders Museum.
Back in 1913, Oudenaarde had a very different relationship with the race. The first edition, won by Paul Deman, was stalled a bit as Oudenaarde refused to let the race pass through the town. How times change! Now, the town hosts the finish of the men's race as well as the start and finish of the women's race.
The gap drifts back up to over five minutes again as Ineos Grenadiers, once again, come to the front behind Bjerg and Oliveira.
Just 8km to the base of the Oude Kwaremont.
Van Aert is back at the car yet again. He's been back and forth all morning. About 5km from the Oude Kwaremont now and he is right at the back as several teams are spread across the road.
Florian Vermeerch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) spoke out about being shocked by receiving online abuse after chasing Van Aert at the recent Dwars door Vlaanderen...
Zamperini is leading the breaakway on the famous old cobbles of the 6.6% average gradient climb. Famous average, even gives the alcohol volume to the beer that shares it's name.
The Mongolian rider, Sainbayar, leads the break over the top of the 1st ascent of the Oude Kwaremont.
Sam Welsford (Tudor), Jan Tratnik (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Mattias Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek) and Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) leading the way for the peloton as they start the cobbles.
Haller now takes control of the peloton for Tudor who have two extremally talented riders in Matteo Trentin and previous fourth place finisher, Luca Mozzato.
You wouldn't know it was raining about an hour ago. It is a beautiful sunny spring day on the Oude Kwaremont with gigantic crowds spilling out of the beer tents that seem to double in size every year.
Pedersen is the first big name in the peloton followed by Evenepoel then Pogačar with Van Aert and Van der Poel staying very calm a little further back.
Bjerg returns to the front of the peloton leading his team's train against XDS Astana's train that has Arjen Livyns at the back.
Multiple teams lead the peloton with the gap to the break still sat at 4'50" with the Eikenberg coming up soon.
Owain Doull (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) agreeing on the pace in the peloton but Groupama-FDJ United, Movistar, XDS Astana, Lotto-Intermarche and NSN all come up the other side to try and swamp.
Onto to 1.2km Eikenberg with a max kick of 10%. Known as the red door climb to pros and locals due to, funnily enough, there being a house with a big red door at the bottom.
Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) is now working very hard on the front for Van Aert. Interesting that the Brit is doing so much work early on.
120km to go
Unibet Rose Rockets, Groupama-FDJ United, TotalEnergies and a lone Tadej Pogačar on the front. The latter getting swamped by Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe including Evenepoel.
The peloton now come onto the Eikenberg with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and UAE Team Emirates-XRG leading the way. They're joined by Soudal-QuickStep for the first time today.
Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) had a bike change a couple of KMs ago but makes it back in at the bottom of the climb.
Bike change at the bottom of the Eikenberg for Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
Mechanical for Floris Van Tricht (NSN).
Suddenly, Van der Poel appears right on the front alongside Evenepoel. First time seeing Pogačar's teammate, Antonio Morgado, as his rocking shoulders come to the front.
Mechanical for cyclocross star, Too Aerts (Lotto-Intermarche). The 32 year old making his debut today.
The peloton splits and Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) is leading it with Van der Poel and Gregoire also in this split but Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe gets it back together again.
Mechanical for Per Strand Hagenes (Visma-Lease a Bike).
Swift gets back into the break but missing a chunk out of his right thigh and elbow.
The other race today is the women's Tour of Flanders which is kicking off to a flying start! Follow that live as well in another tab by clicking the link below. The new tab will open automatically.
Mechanical for Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility). Bit of a stressy moment for one of the outside favourites.
Abrahamsen gets a bike change.
Kopecký making good progress but only has 13" on the peloton. 3'30" up to the break.
Swift getting a shoe change as the old one is wrecked by the crash.
Tretnik leading the peloton for Evenepoel with Kopecký dragged back yet again with 107km to go. Onto the net section of flat cobbles, the 800m Jegerij.
Onto the Molenberg in the breakaway. Back in the peloton, Politt leads the way as the pace is rapid. 463m 7% average gradient with 14.2% max.
Sainbayar dropped from the breakaway. The first Mongolian ever to ride to the Ronde.
Van Aert is way too far back. He is being guided to the front again. Pogačar has Politt and Vermeersch just ahead of him as they put it in the gutter and splits are opening! Van Aert might miss this!
Van Aert and Pedersen fighting hard to get to the front for the Molenberg and they do just as they turn left onto the climb. Politt leads onto the ascent.
Florian Vermeersch hits the front and is ripping it up! Sam Watson on his wheel with Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel, Gianni Vermeersch and Matteo Trentin with a couple of other riders trying to follow.
Magnus Sheffield, Christophe Laporte, Wout Van Aert, Josh Tarling, Luca Mozzato, Matej Mohoric, Gianni Moscon, Jasper Stuyven and Mads Pedersen in the lead group alongside Evenepoel, Pogačar, Van der Poel, F. Vermeersch, Watson and maybe a couple of others.
The riders are on the Marlboroughstaart and there are two riders trying to bridge, Vito Braet (Lotto-Intermarche) and Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek).
100km to go
Pogačar, Van der Poel, Evenepoel and the rest all coming through and working with 100km to go!
Stan Dewulf (Decathlon-CMA CGM) has made it across this gap as well. The peloton being led by Pinarello-Q36.5 for Aime De Gendt as Michael Valgren (EF Edcuation-EasyPost) and Dylan van Baarle (Soudal-QuickStep) both trying to bridge the gap to the group of favourites.
The rain begins to fall very lightly as the riders start the Berendries. 940m long asphalt climb.
Pogačar is very keen to get things moving with Watson and Van der Poel also keen but the others don't come through with anywhere near as much vigour.
Valgren catches Vacek and Braet but they are about to be caught by the rest of the peloton.
Sainbayar caught by this favourites group and immediately spat out the back. It isn't Moscon in the group, it is Tim van Dijke. Also Rick Pluimers not Mozzato.
Van Dijke leads Evenepoel over the Berendries.
This group is full of the big hitters. This is very likely to stay away and catch the break who are now under two minutes ahead of them.
Fabio van den Bossche (Soudal-Quickstep) has abandoned the race.
The heaven's have opened on this very holy day. The rain is hammering down on the riders and is due to be in the area for the next hours!
Reminder of the break:
Favourites group:
Tadej Pogačar (UAD)
Florian Vermeersch (UAD)
Mathieu van der Poel (APT)
Matej Mohoric (TBV)
Stan Dewulf (DCT)
Magnus Sheffield (IGD)
Sam Watson (IGD)
Mads Pedersen (LTK)
Remco Evenepoel (RBH)
Tim van Dijke (RBH)
Gianni Vermeersch (RBH)
Jasper Stuyven (SOQ)
Wout Van Aert (TVL)
Christophe Laporte (TVL)
Matteo Trentin (TUD)
Rick Pluimers (TUD)
They are 52" off the breakaway and have a minute on the peloton. 86km to go.
The sun comes bursting out again but the roads remain soaked.
Lots of abandons:
Søren Wærenskjold (UXM)
Clement Alleno (BBH)
Jenthe Biermans (COF)
Dillon Corkery (TPP)
Sam Welsford (IGD)
Breakaway caught by the chasing group of favourites with the peloton now over a minute down. 28 riders now out front with 78km to go.
Leaders:
Tadej Pogačar (UAD)
Florian Vermeersch (UAD)
Mathieu van der Poel (APT)
Matej Mohoric (TBV)
Stan Dewulf (DCT)
Magnus Sheffield (IGD)
Sam Watson (IGD)
Mads Pedersen (LTK)
Remco Evenepoel (RBH)
Tim van Dijke (RBH)
Gianni Vermeersch (RBH)
Jasper Stuyven (SOQ)
Wout Van Aert (TVL)
Christophe Laporte (TVL)
Matteo Trentin (TUD)
Rick Pluimers (TUD)
Silvan Dillier (APT)
Frederik Frison (PQT)
Connor Swift (IGD)
Luke Lamperti (EFE)
Luca Van Boven (LOI)
Kamil Gradek (TBV)
Dries De Pooter (JAY)
Julius van den Berg (TPP)
Edoardo Zamperini (COF)
Hartthijs de Vries (URR)
Victor Vercouillie (TFB)
Eric Fagundez (BBH)
Dillier now starts his job that he would've normally done several kilometres earlier had things been usual. But the former Swiss champion and second place finisher at Paris-Roubaix found himself in the break.
Florian Vermeersch now comes to the front and replaces Dillier who has done the first part of his job. He is now just looking after Van der Poel as they start the Berg ten Houte 1.1km with an average of 6% and max of 21%.
Pogačar leading onto it with Evenepoel on his wheel. Frison and Dillier immediately dropped.
Evenepoel sees that he and Pogačar have a gap so he kicks on but Sheffield drags it back.
Almost all the breakaway riders go out the back. Vercouillie is one of them. The Flanders-Baloise rider honours his father's wish to see him in the breakaway at the Tour of Flanders. The Belgian breakaway specialist's dad has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Swift, Fagundez, Gradek, Van Boven, Zamperini and Van den Berg are the only remaining riders from the break in the lead group after the Berg ten Houte.
Roads are drying out nicely in the sunshine but the rain clouds are still threatening.
The two two riders doing the most work are Florian and Gianni Vermeersch. No relation between them but the same last name and job for today.
The next climbs coming up are the Nieuwe Kruisberg and the first time up the Hotond.
Pogačar lets the wheel go and his teammate, Vermeersch, goes clear with Swift and Pluimers.
The other Vermeersch sets in to chase the trio down.
It is all together again in this group over the top of the Hotond as the gap to the peloton has come down to 1'39".
First time seeing Pedersen at the front of the lead group here with 6km to the second time up the Oude Kwaremont followed by the second ascent of the Paterberg.
Dweulf taking the chance to chat to the car and get some food and drink before they start the Oude Kwaremont again. Florian Vermeersch looking a bit panicked as he really wants the team car to come up to him.
Multiple riders swamp the Red Bull guys with Swift leading them through the corner that sends them towards the famous climb.
Gradek comes to the front one last time with Mohoric on his wheel. Giving himself some slipping space.
Pogačar tried to move up but Red Bull blocked him and take control. Gradek and Swift lead into the tight road that leads up to the climb, though.
Pogačar leads with Van Aert. Pedersen, Evenepoel and Van der Poel just off the back for the moment. Van der Poel sees this and comes round. As does Evenepoel.
Evenepoel measuring his effort here and he looks calm. Pedersen going backwards.
Evenepoel all over the bike on the cobbles whereas Pogačar, Van Aert and Van der Poel are smooth as silk.
It looks like it is just between these four riders as Pedersen is fading. The rest of the group aren't even in the shot anymore.
Van Aert starting to lose touch as Evenepoel gets back on. He is distanced just over the top. He is 4" back over the top with Pedersen 12" back.
Pogačar is pushing hard with Van der Poel and Evenepoel riding well with him. Van Aert is riding hard but I think he has used all his matches already by following Pogačar's first move.
They now head to the first ascent of the Paterberg.
Evenepoel now leading down the descent with Pogačar and Van der Poel following. Van Aert now 13" back with Pedersen at 21".
First ascent of Paterberg
Pogačar takes the lead with Evenepoel next to him and challenging him. Van der Poel looks to be chugging a bit on this climb.
Now Evenepoel is struggling. He goes out the back and Van der Poel can follow him for now but I don't think he'll last too much longer.
50km to go
Evenepoel is 9" down on Pogačar and Van der Poel with Van Aert and Pedersen together at 33". They join forces behind.
Evenepoel looks so so strong and is closing in on Pogačar and Van der Poel but he isn't quite there on the cobbles. But this is an astonishing performance by the Olympic champion.
They head to the hellish Koppenberg.
600 metres at an average of 11.6% and a max of 22%.
Pogačar and Van der Poel go over the top together and have extended their advantage to 20" over Evenepoel.
51" back to Van Aert and Pedersen with the former gapping the Dane.
Wow, Evenepoel is right back onto the Pogačar and Van der Poel at just 4"! What a ride by him.
Mariaborrestraat now and Pogačar is pushing on again with Evenepoel chugging a bit again.
40km to go
Van der Poel and Pogačar are 6" ahead of Evenepoel and 57" ahead of Van Aert and Pedersen.
Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel have 10" on Evenepoel, 58" on Van Aert and Pedersen then over 2 minutes back as they go onto the Taaienberg.
Van der Poel takes over the pacing on the Taaienberg with Pogačar in his wheel. Evenepoel isn't done yet.
Pogačar keeps looking back to see where Evenepoel is. The world champion seems nervous about the Olympic champion as he is clearly strong on the flat roads.
The first main group on the road is F. Vermeersch, Stuyven, Mohoric, Sheffield, T. van Dijke, Laporte and Dewulf at 2'17".
But that group is splitting up.
The Oude Kruisberg to come in 4km. They have 14" on Evenepoel. It had gone to 17" but he is riding well still. Pedersen and Van Aert are 52" back. Group 4 now at 2'25".
Pogačar leads onto the Oude Kruisberg followed by the Hotond. 2.7km at an average of 4.1% with a max kick of 9.4% and on jagged cobbles.
Pogačar pushing on the pedals again. Van der Poel is equal to it for now.
Evenepoel is done. He is now slowly being closed in on by Van Aert and Pedersen.
The gloves are off! Tadej Pogačar literally has just taken his gloves off!
These two have a chance of making history. Van der Poel has a chance to take the record winning record whereas Pogačar has a chance to equal Van der Poel and the rest.
Just 4km to go to the final ascent of Oude Kwaremont. Evenepoel has come back a bit again. He's now just 19" with 1'09" back to Pedersen and Van Aert.
15 confirmed abandons today.
Evenepoel can hold his head high after today's performance. He will likely take third today but he has been absolutely exceptional today.
Pogačar ups the pace and onto the cobbles and the gap yawns open! Van der Poel has no answer!
Pogačar goes clear and opens the gap. Van der Poel is not done, though. He is giving his all and Pogačar is hurting here. He isn't being quite as definitive as usual.
van der Poel gets back onto the cobbles again and isn't done. About 50 metres between them. Pogačar is not as all conquering just yet.
Pogačar's shoulders are rocking and Van der Poel is starting to look a lot more solid.
Pogačar is grimacing like we have never seen before. 6" between them over the top of the Oude Kwaremont.
Evenepoel is 49" down on Pogačar. Van Aert has dropped Pedersen.
The world champion dives left to descent to the Paterberg. The gap is opening up again and it has doubled with 12" splitting Pogačar and Van der Poel.
Onto the Paterberg goes Pogačar. He has 13" on Van der Poel but the world champion has recomposed himself and is flying up the climb.
Pogačar now all over his bike yet again. Van der Poel out of the saddle and looks powerful as Pogačar opens his mouth wide and looks so uncomfortable.
Van der Poel also now looks extremely uncomfortable.
Evenepoel now crests the Paterberg and looks in pain. He has a gap on Van Aert and Pedersen who are about 50 metres apart.
Pogačar now has 20" on Van der Poel with 11km to go.
Now Van der Poel joins the long straight road that Pogačar is on and immediately the gap is closing. Just 15" now!
Now the gap opens a bit again. There was a brief glimpse of hope but now Van der Poel is 26" down on Pogačar. Evenepole is 1'09" down and Van Aert is 1'49" down.
I am happy to say that I was wrong about Evenepoel's chances in this race. I was expecting him to lose touch far earlier than he did. He is likely going to take third today on debut.
5km to go
Tadej Pogačar leads.
Remco Evenepoel is third at 1'20".
Wout Van Aert just off the podium in fourth at 2'05".
4km to go now for the great Slovenian.
2km to go now for Pogačar.
Flamme Rouge
Pogačar leads under the red kite and waves to the TV moto as it is deviated off. Van der Poel will take second and Evenepoel will take third.
Pogačar sits up with 500 metres to go. He joins the greats on three wins.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) wins the Tour of Flanders and his 12th Monument.
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) takes second place.
Pogačar and Van der Poel embrace after the finish.
Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) finishes a magnificent third on his Tour of Flanders debut.
Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) gets a huge cheer as he crosses the line in fourth place.
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) takes a very impressive fifth on the day after a horrible start of the year. The top 5 are the Famous Five we all hyped up beforehand.
A few days ago, Evenepoel's former boss, Patrick Lefevere, said that he should focus on one-day races rather than stage races. He finished a solid fifth at the Volta a Catalunya this year but he has looked brilliant today and is often on top form for one-day races.
Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-QuickStep) led in the rest with Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) just behind his fellow Belgian. A few seconds after them was Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) then about a minute to Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) closing out the top 10.
Relive the final moments of Tadej Pogačar's record equalling ride.
Tadej Pogačar has raced three times this year and the consistency is startling.
Up next... Paris-Roubaix and a date with destiny? Is the Monument Grand Slam very much on for the 2026 season?
Into the final 20km of the women's race now with a group of about 15 riders head to the final Oude Kwaremonnt/Paterberg doubleheader. Follow along with out other live page!
Wout van Aert reaction after the Tour of Flanders - he wasn't overly happy, but not absolutely dissatisfied either.
'We could only have come back if they had started looking at each other' - Wout van Aert settles for fourth in Tour of Flanders
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