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

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!

>>> Tour of Flanders Women LIVE – The day’s break is caught and a group of favourites lead into the final 40km

Tadej Pogačar has raced three times this year and the consistency is startling.

Strade Bianche – 1st
Milan-San Remo – 1st
Tour of Flanders – 1st

Up next… Paris-Roubaix and a date with destiny? Is the Monument Grand Slam very much on for the 2026 season?

Relive the final moments of Tadej Pogačar’s record equalling ride.

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.

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.

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.

Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) gets a huge cheer as he crosses the line in fourth place.

Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) finishes a magnificent third on his Tour of Flanders debut.

Pogačar and Van der Poel embrace after the finish.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) takes second place.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) wins the Tour of Flanders and his 12th Monument.

Pogačar sits up with 500 metres to go. He joins the greats on three wins.

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.

2km to go now for Pogačar.

4km to go now for the great Slovenian.

5km to go

Tadej Pogačar leads.

Mathieu van der Poel is second by 40″.

Remco Evenepoel is third at 1’20”.

Wout Van Aert just off the podium in fourth at 2’05”.

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.

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.

Now Van der Poel joins the long straight road that Pogačar is on and immediately the gap is closing. Just 15″ now!

10km to go

Tadej Pogačar leads Mathieu van der Poel by 22″ with Remco Evenepoel a 1’05”.

Pogačar now has 20″ on Van der Poel with 11km to go.

Evenepoel now crests the Paterberg and looks in pain. He has a gap on Van Aert and Pedersen who are about 50 metres apart.

Van der Poel also now looks extremely uncomfortable.

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.

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.

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.

Evenepoel is 49″ down on Pogačar. Van Aert has dropped Pedersen.

Pogačar is grimacing like we have never seen before. 6″ between them over the top of the Oude Kwaremont.

Pogačar’s shoulders are rocking and Van der Poel is starting to look a lot more solid.

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 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.

Pogačar ups the pace and onto the cobbles and the gap yawns open! Van der Poel has no answer!

Final ascent of Oude Kwaremont

Onto the Oude Kwaremont for the very last time today. Evenepoel appears to have locked steady at 20″. It must be horrible for him. Similar for Pedersen and Van Aert wgo are about 40″ back on Evenepoel.

Evenepoel can hold his head high after today’s performance. He will likely take third today but he has been absolutely exceptional today.

20km to go

The gap to Evenepoel is said to be 20″ with 1’02” back to Pedersen and Van Aert.

15 confirmed abandons today.

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.

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.

The gloves are off! Tadej Pogačar literally has just taken his gloves off!

Evenepoel is done. He is now slowly being closed in on by Van Aert and Pedersen.

Pogačar pushing on the pedals again. Van der Poel is equal to it for now.

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.

30km to go

Evenepoel now is starting to fade as he takes on a gel. He is 18″ down. Van Aert and Pedersen are 1’04” down.

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”.

But that group is splitting up.

The first main group on the road is F. Vermeersch, Stuyven, Mohoric, Sheffield, T. van Dijke, Laporte and Dewulf at 2’17”.

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.

Van der Poel takes over the pacing on the Taaienberg with Pogačar in his wheel. Evenepoel isn’t done yet.

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.

40km to go

Van der Poel and Pogačar are 6″ ahead of Evenepoel and 57″ ahead of Van Aert and Pedersen.

Mariaborrestraat now and Pogačar is pushing on again with Evenepoel chugging a bit again.

Wow, Evenepoel is right back onto the Pogačar and Van der Poel at just 4″! What a ride by him.

51″ back to Van Aert and Pedersen with the former gapping the Dane.

Pogačar and Van der Poel go over the top together and have extended their advantage to 20″ over Evenepoel.

600 metres at an average of 11.6% and a max of 22%.

They head to the hellish Koppenberg.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Evenepoel now leading down the descent with Pogačar and Van der Poel following. Van Aert now 13″ back with Pedersen at 21″.

They now head to the first ascent of the Paterberg.

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.

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.

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.

Evenepoel all over the bike on the cobbles whereas Pogačar, Van Aert and Van der Poel are smooth as silk.

Evenepoel measuring his effort here and he looks calm. Pedersen going backwards.

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.

Attack

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)

The world champion goes before the cobbles with Van Aert on his wheel and Van der Poel caught put but is flying up the climb.

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.

Gradek comes to the front one last time with Mohoric on his wheel. Giving himself some slipping space.

Multiple riders swamp the Red Bull guys with Swift leading them through the corner that sends them towards the famous climb.

60km to go

Van Dijke leads a Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe trio with Evenepoel in second wheel as they descent down towards the Oude Kwaremont.

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.

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.

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”.

Attack

Laporte
Zamperini
Pogačar

Vermeersch closes it down but Laporte is persisting and is dragging the leading trio back on the Hotond.

The other Vermeersch sets in to chase the trio down.

Pogačar lets the wheel go and his teammate, Vermeersch, goes clear with Swift and Pluimers.

The next climbs coming up are the Nieuwe Kruisberg and the first time up the Hotond.

70km to go

The gap back to the peloton is now almost 2 minutes back on the leaders.

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.

Roads are drying out nicely in the sunshine but the rain clouds are still threatening.

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.

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.

Evenepoel sees that he and Pogačar have a gap so he kicks on but Sheffield drags it back.

Pogačar leading onto it with Evenepoel on his wheel. Frison and Dillier immediately dropped.

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%.

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.

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)

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.

80km to go

Four and a half hours of racing down with the average speed up at 43kph. The favourites group is just 18″ off the breakaway now. Swift and Dillier will be key for Watson, Sheffield and Van der Poel.

Crash

Iván García Cortina (MOV)

The Spanish rider is back on his bike again.

Lots of abandons:

Søren Wærenskjold (UXM)
Clement Alleno (BBH)
Jenthe Biermans (COF)
Dillon Corkery (TPP)
Sam Welsford (IGD)

The sun comes bursting out again but the roads remain soaked.

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.

Reminder of the break:

Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Premier Tech)
Frederik Frison (Pinarello-Q36.5)
Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers)
Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost)
Luca Van Boven (Lotto-Intermarche)
Kamil Gradek (Bahrain Victorious)
Dries De Pooter (Jayco-AlUla)
Julius van den Berg (Picnic-PostNL)
Edoardo Zamperini (Cofidis)
Hartthijs de Vries (Unibet Rose Rockets)
Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise)
Eric Fagundez (Burgos-Burpellet-BH)

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!

Fabio van den Bossche (Soudal-Quickstep) has abandoned the race.

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.

Attack in chase

Kasper Asgreen (EF Education-EasyPost)
Aime De Gendt (Pinarello-Q36.5)
Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility)

But they aren’t getting a gap. They have, however, taken about 10 to 15 seconds back on the favourites group.

Van Dijke leads Evenepoel over the Berendries.

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.

Valgren catches Vacek and Braet but they are about to be caught by the rest of the peloton.

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.

The rain begins to fall very lightly as the riders start the Berendries. 940m long asphalt climb.

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.

100km to go

Pogačar, Van der Poel, Evenepoel and the rest all coming through and working with 100km to go!

The riders are on the Marlboroughstaart and there are two riders trying to bridge, Vito Braet (Lotto-Intermarche) and Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek).

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.

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.

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.

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!

Sainbayar dropped from the breakaway. The first Mongolian ever to ride to the Ronde.

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.

Crash

Arthur Kluckers (Tudor)

The Luxembourg champion got a front wheel puncture, couldn’t turn and then got clipped. He finished in the ditch.

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.

Swift getting a shoe change as the old one is wrecked by the crash.

Kopecký making good progress but only has 13″ on the peloton. 3’30” up to the break.

Abrahamsen gets a bike change.

Mechanical for Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility). Bit of a stressy moment for one of the outside favourites.

Attack

Tomáš Kopecký (Unibet Rose Rockets)

The second time the Czech rider has been on the move today. This time going clear on the Kargate cobbles.

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.

>>> Tour of Flanders Women LIVE – The race is alive with attacks but no breakaway yet

Attack

Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep)

The latter putting in a huge acceleration but it comes to nothing. Unibet Rose Rockets and Bahrain Victorious try to go too but it isn’t being allowed to go as Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe continue to ride as a unit and drag them back.

Swift gets back into the break but missing a chunk out of his right thigh and elbow.

Attack

Stan Dewulf (Decathlon-CMA CGM)
Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers)

But this isn’t being allowed to go.

Mechanical for Per Strand Hagenes (Visma-Lease a Bike).

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 cyclocross star, Too Aerts (Lotto-Intermarche). The 32 year old making his debut today.

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 Floris Van Tricht (NSN).

Crash

Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers)

The Yorkshireman goes down as he was trying to sort his radio wire and he just went down over the curb and slid along the ground for about 10 metres. Straight back up and riding again.

Bike change at the bottom of the Eikenberg for Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Multiple teams lead the peloton with the gap to the break still sat at 4’50” with the Eikenberg coming up soon.

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.

Crash

Riley Sheehan (NSN)

He ended up in the ditch after the feed zone.

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.

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.

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.

Crash

Clement Alleno (Burgos-Burpellet-BH)

A few other riders having to unclip.

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.

The Mongolian rider, Sainbayar, leads the break over the top of the 1st ascent of the Oude Kwaremont.

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.

First passage of Oude Kwaremont

The breakaway are now on the Oude Kwaremont as the peloton the peloton are absolutely flying. Van Aert and Van der Poel are pushed back a fair bit with Ineos Grenadiers and Uno-X Mobility leading the way to the climb.

140km to go

The riders are over halfway through today with the Oude Kwaremont beckoning. The gap to the peloton has grown to 5’26” between the break and the peloton.

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…

>>> ‘It shook me for a while’ – Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen

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.

Just 8km to the base of the Oude Kwaremont.

The gap drifts back up to over five minutes again as Ineos Grenadiers, once again, come to the front behind Bjerg and Oliveira.

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 break ride through the centre of Oudenaarde, passed the square and the Tour of Flanders Museum.

The rain begins to fall yet again. 15km to the first ascent of three on the Oude Kwaremont.

Just about 4km until the first look at Oudenaarde as the two pelotons come back together again. 4’42” up to the breakaway.

The second peloton is about 10 to 15 seconds behind the front part of the peloton.

Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) caught out of the back. He’s at the car but there’s no stress in the bunch.

Over a minute has been taken out of the breakaway since starting the Lippenhovestraat. 4’27” between the break and the peloton.

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.

160km to go

Into the final 100 miles and the break has a gap of 4’34”.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG have complete control of the peloton on these early cobbled sections.

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.

The break finishes the Lippenhovestraat and head onto the Padestraat shortly afterwards.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG have really powered on the pace led by Bjerg, of course.

First cobbled section

The breakaway leads the 2026 Tour of Flanders onto the Lippenhovestraat.

The Kiwi added his thoughts on the day itself:

“It’s quite a heavy headwind, so the first 120km will be pretty hard, I’d say. Just, long. But yeah, once we get into the decisive moments, there’s a lot of cross tailwind, so it’ll be super fast, and yeah, if you’re in a back group, you probably won’t come back.”

Laurence Pithie talking to James Moultrie before the start today about the inclusion of Evenepoel in the race:

“It changes a lot. It doesn’t change the vibe too much, we’ve had a very good vibe all Classics period, and now we’re here. He’s coming in (Evenepoel). But, we still have the same vibe.

“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.”

Van Aert back at the car yet again getting rid of his wet weather gear.

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.

180km to go

Very nearly 100km of racing done and the cobbles are close to beginning with the Lippenhovestraat coming in just over 10km.

Two hours done and the average speed is still up to 45kph.

The time gap has dropped to just over five minutes. Bjerg is doing well but Oliveira has joined him in the chase.

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The peloton in one long line as Bjerg continues his pace setting.

Fortunately for the riders, the rain has stopped.

200km to go

Almost 75km of racing done. Bjerg still leads the peloton with the break holding 5’13” on the chasing pack.

Lots of riders stopping to get wet weather gear.

Van Aert back at the car to get a rain jacket on.

It is raining! The roads are wet and this will add another layer of difficulty.

UAE come to the front en masse now and are pushing much harder as the break has 5’08” on the peloton.

The peloton has now lost a minute and a half on the break with over five minutes splitting them.

Evenepoel is in the group with Pogačar. But the peloton are coming back led by Alpecin-Premier Tech and Visma-Lease a Bike.

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.

The peloton has been split into two due to a level crossing closing!

>>> 2026 Tour of Flanders Men briefly neutralised after over half peloton stopped at level crossing

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.

>>> ‘I’m not going to wait for an attack’ – Jasper Stuyven hopes to put Soudal-QuickStep’s classics campaign back on course at the Tour of Flanders

The break are riding really well and the gap is up to 3’20” over the peloton.

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.

220km to go

Ineos Grenadiers take over as the main presence behind the lone UAE rider, Bjerg replaces Politt on the point of the peloton again. Over three minutes to the break.

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.

Bike change for Martijn Rasenberg (Unibet Rose Rockets).

Lamperti back at the car in the break for a new bidon and some gels. Maybe a bit of Easter egg as well?

Tadej Pogačar speaking before the start today…

Just over an hour done and the average speed is around 46kph. It has been a rapid start.

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.

De Pooter has finally got his overshoes off and he hands them back to the team car.

The gap grows to 2’20” on the peloton. Bjerg looking around and is on the radio as well.

Crash

Florian Dauphin (TotalEnergies)

The Frenchman has a ripped shorts but seems okay.

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 is continuing to grow for the 12 man break with a gap of 1’47” between them and the Bjerg led peloton.

Van der Poel before the start today…

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.

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.

Dillier isn’t doing any work in the break.

The break now have over 40″ on the peloton.

Breakaway:

Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Premier Tech)
Frederik Frison (Pinarello-Q36.5)
Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers)
Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost)
Luca Van Boven (Lotto-Intermarche)
Kamil Gradek (Bahrain Victorious)
Dries De Pooter (Jayco-AlUla)
Julius van den Berg (Picnic-PostNL)
Jambaljamts Sainbayar (Burgos-Burpellet-BH)
Edoardo Zamperini (Cofidis)
Hartthijs de Vries (Unibet Rose Rockets)
Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise)
Eric Fagundez (Burgos-Burpellet-BH)

A break is forming! About 15 riders involved.

Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is a surprising addition and, immediately, UAE Team Emirates-XRG scramble a chase.

Van der Poel joins Van Aert in rejecting favourite status and pushes all the pressure on Pogačar…

>>> ‘He’s one level above all the rest’ – Mathieu van der Poel rejects status as favourite to beat Tadej Pogačar in Tour of Flanders

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.

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.

Van Aert gets back in with Stan Dewulf (Decathlon-CMA CGM) immediately starting up a conversation with him.

Van Aert rolling back into the peloton after a natural break and a quick chat at the car.

Evenepoel is making his debut at the race today…

260km to go

Flanders-Baloise, Movistar, Tudor and Picnic-PostNL have been involved in every move so far with Pinarello-Q36.5, Burgos-Burpellet-BH, EF Education-EasyPost and Unibet Rose Rockets all regularly involved too.

There is a strong headwind which is killing any attacker’s momentum.

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.

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.

Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) is at the team car with radio issues.

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.

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.

Puncture for Fabian Lienhard (Tudor).

Hugo de la Calle (Burgos-Burpellet-BH) is the next to try a move but nothing is going for the moment.

Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) begins to control the peloton.

Attack by Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise) but nothing is being allowed to go just yet.

No break for the moment.

Unibet Rose Rockets are the next to launch a move and he gets a gap but he’s dragged back.

278.2km to go!

Racing begins and Picnic-PostNL begin the attacks.

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.

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.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) seems very pleased that Evenepoel has decided to debut at the Ronde this year…

>>> ‘Not a disadvantage for me’ – Mathieu van der Poel welcomes addition of Remco Evenepoel to Tour of Flanders but warns against underestimating debutant

Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) refuses to be included in the discussion when it comes to the biggest names of the sport…

>>> ‘I don’t consider myself in the big four’ – Wout van Aert ‘older and wiser’ but avoids talking himself up for major Tour of Flanders battle

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…

>>> ‘He can attack in the most random places’ – Tadej Pogačar ponders potential tactical headache of Remco Evenepoel at Tour of Flanders

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ live report of the men’s Tour of Flanders/Ronde Van Vlaanderen 2026!

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!

>>> ‘I deliberately got rid of my social media for two weeks’ – Remco Evenepoel addresses drama of surprise Tour of Flanders debut and says he wouldn’t be starting if victory wasn’t possible