Cycling: Mathieu van der Poel has won the Tour of Flanders again. The Dutchman can celebrate for the third time at the Ronde after an impressive solo. With 17 slipways and a length of 270,8 kilometers from Antwerp to Oudenaarde, the 108th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen on Easter Sunday was one of the highlights of the 2024 cycling season.
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Correction:
Michael Matthews (Jayco – AlUla) was relegated from third place to the back of the group after the race. The German can do that Nils Politt (UAE) are happy about a podium place!
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Van der Poel fends off all attacks
You challenged him and tried to annoy him - but in vain. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) won the Tour of Flanders for the third time after 2020 and 2022. The Dutchman and his team were exposed to numerous attacks in the middle of the race, but had everything under control at all times. With attacks on the Oude Kwaremont and the Koppenberg, the 29-year-old was finally able to break away from his companions and drive towards his success as a soloist. Complete the podium Luca Mozzato (Arkéa – B&B Hotels) from Italy and Michael Matthews (Jayco – AlUla) from Australia after the chasing duo Dylan teuns (Israel – Premier Tech) and Alberto Bettiol (EF Education – EasyPost) were placed just a few meters from the finish. Just missed it Nils Politt (UAE) one of his greatest successes. The German ultimately sprinted to fourth place. The otherwise dominant team Visma – LaB will be disappointed. Not a single driver in yellow and black finished in the top 10.
The 8 early breakaways from the 2024 Tour of Flanders
- Bert van Lerberghe (Soudal – Quick Step)
- David Decker (Arkea – B&B Hotels)
- Stanislaw Aniolkowski (Cofidis)
- Damien Touze (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)
- Luke Durbridge (Jayco – AlUla)
- Elmar Reinders (Jayco – AlUla)
- Lionel Taminiaux (Lotto – Dstny)
- Jelle Vermoote (Bingoal WB)
Attacks on Wolvenberg & Molenberg
Eight breakaways dominated the first hours of the Tour of Flanders with their advance. The group around Bert van Lerberghe (Soudal – Quick-Step), was given a lead of almost five minutes. However, as there were early attacks from well-known riders in the peloton, the excursion was already over 100 kilometers before the finish. Because at Wolvenberg they tried first Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) and Axel Laurance (Alpecin – Deceuninck) their luck and later Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – LaB) and Soren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin – Deceuninck). The team of the top favorites made it clear: If you send someone to attack, one of us will go with you. Am Molenberg occurred a few kilometers later Mads pedersen (Lidl – Trek), but Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – LaB) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) jumped directly onto his rear wheel.
Küng falls and fights his way back up
There were further attacks at the next slipways - Marlboroughstraat and Berendries - so that Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) fell behind. Supported by his strong team, he was finally able to reconnect. However, his opponents repeatedly signaled to him that they would be able to do so even without those who had recently fallen wout van aert (Visma – LaB) and Jasper stuyven (Lidl – Trek) are not willing to give up the field to the world champion without a fight. Particularly Mads pedersen (Lidl – Trek) seemed motivated today. The Dane went on the offensive again at Valkenberg and took Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin – Deceuninck) with. In the meantime I had to go with you Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ) one of the favorites almost buried all his hopes. The Swiss fell, among other things Alessandro Covi (UAE) and Cees Bol (Astana). Thanks to his teammates, he was able to catch up with the favorite group again after a race of around 20 kilometers long.
Attacks on the Oude Kwaremont & Koppenberg
Although Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin – Deceuninck) was represented at the front, decided Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) to let his teammates work in the chasing group. The distance was reduced again to around 15 seconds. But suddenly the picture changed: Vermeersch was back in the lead at the front, while his teammates in the peloton were no longer visible in the wind. The world champion thus prepared his big attack. At the Oude Kwaremont he fired up the turbo, closed the gap to the leading duo, but took numerous riders with him. Since the group did not agree afterwards, many professionals who had already distanced themselves were able to catch up again. After Paterberg tried it Ivan García Cortina (Movistar) as a soloist. He was able to gain a lead of around 20 seconds, but then had to get off his bike and push up the Koppenberg. Some drivers suffered this fate due to the rain-soaked paving stones. Had no problems Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck). The world champion made the decisive attack and was able to break away as a soloist.
Third Ronde victory for van der Poel
Also Matteo Jorgensen (Visma – LaB) could not follow. The American drove behind for a long time, only a few meters behind, but then had to admit that he would no longer be able to close the gap on his own. So he was picked up by the following group. But even with combined forces it was not possible Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) Time to lose weight. On the contrary: the world champion's lead increased rapidly, so that the chasing group finally gave up and only fought for second place. The Dutchman is celebrating his third success at the Ronde van Vlaanderen after 2020 and 2022. He now won a total of five monuments.
Riders push their bikes up the Koppenberg as Mathieu Van der Poel powers away with only Matteo Jorgensen being able to follow #FLCS pic.twitter.com/WCDgzhlS4C
- Eurosport (@eurosport) March 31, 2024