Mathieu van der Poel wins Tour of Flanders as Tadej Pogacar finishes fourth in two-horse race

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) took a heart-in-the-mouth victory at the Tour of Flanders after the most bizarre of ‘sprint’ finishes involving Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates). The duo had a huge lead in the home straight but, as Pogacar refused to do another turn, the pace almost slowed to a halt – inviting Dylan van Baarle (Ineos Grenadiers) and Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) back into the showdown.

Ad/> When Van der Poel belatedly launched his sprint, Van Baarle had hauled himself alongside the Belgian as a huge upset beckoned, but ultimately the 2020 champion proved too strong in the closing metres. Ronde van Vlaanderen'Can’t help himself' – Pogacar lights up Flanders with attack on Oude KwaremontAN HOUR AGO Incredibly, a visibly frustrated Pogacar came home fourth in what for so long was a two-horse race.

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