Tour of Flanders: Mathieu Van der Poel flies through the race despite catastrophic conditions... Tops and flops

TOPS

At 29, Mathieu Van der Poel wins for the third time in a Tour of Flanders. Third victory in five years, he who has always been on the podium since his first participation in 2019. Big favorite, the leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck has assumed his status. After a perfectly controlled race, he escaped alone about forty kilometers from the finish. His competitors will not see him again. The Dutchman joins a very closed circle of triple winners of the race. He could even be the only man with four victories in Flanders in the event of future success.

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If Mathieu Van der Poel assumed his status as favorite, the outsiders also responded. Matteo Jorgenson and Mads Pedersen have been running the race for a long time. Dylan Teuns and Alberto Bettiol finished in the Top 10. Finally, it was Luca Mozzato and Nils Politt who completed the podium. Team UAE places three riders in the Top 5.

FLOPS

Wind, rain, mud, humidity... The riders had to face more than capricious weather during this 2024 Tour of Flanders. Slippery roads and some dangerous or impassable climbs. The cobbles of the Koppenberg got the better of many runners, who dismounted in the highest percentages. A racing profile that suited Mathieu Van der Poel perfectly, cyclo-cross champion and accustomed to such conditions.

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Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogacar and Jasper Stuyven absent. Outsiders there but who do not force the passage. Mathieu Van der Poel was too alone. Favorite to succeed the Slovenian, the Dutchman did not fail. He took advantage of his competitors' difficulties in the Koppenberg to escape and never be seen again. A final part of the race with only little interest.