Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026, monument, April 5 (men's)

[Krzysztof_O]

It's time for one of the most beautiful and difficult classics of the season. Just one week from now! Winding roads among green hills, cobbled climbs and long history (110th edition). A distance of nearly 280 km coupled with uphill cobbles sectors make it a difficult test of endurance and will. Even the strongest guys will be tested to the limit. The key climbs are Oude Kwaremont, climbed thrice (this is where Pogacar does most damage), Kruisberg, Koppenberg and Paterberg (done soon after Kwaremont).

It's also time for another clash between Pogacar and Van der Poel: the best one-day racers of the last few decades. Pogacar is in ominous form and after finally conquering MSR he is #1 favourite to win his 3rd title here. However, his chief rival Van der Poel is one of the greatest riders in history of this race (3 wins, 2 runner-ups and once 3rd place) and could be a standalone record holder if he wins again. But is he at his peak form? (he will need it to have any chance to follow Pogacar). This time a normal poll, two of the participants are among the best ever in this race.

The winners of 2020s editions:
2025: Pogacar
2024: Van der Poel
2023: Pogacar
2022: Van der Poel
2021: Asgreen
2020: Van der Poel

Favourites:
Pogacar *****
Van der Poel ****
Van Aert, Pedersen ***
De Lie, Laporte, F. Vermeersch **
A few others *

Map:

Profile:

Key climbs:

 

[Red Rick]

Just copy paste everything from last year I'm sure it'll still fit.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Decathlon should give Lund an opportunity to race here if he wants to.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Decathlon should give Lund an opportunity to race here if he wants to.

I was considering adding him to the poll but realized he's not on the startlist actually!

 

[RedheadDane]

I was considering adding him to the poll but realized he's not on the startlist actually!

Huh? Pretty sure I read a while back that he's doing pretty much all the cobbled classics.

(Unfortunately, Feltet.dk lost that nifty feature where you could easily go find all articles about a certain rider.)

 

[SHAD0W93]

Surprised no MVDP votes yet.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Huh? Pretty sure I read a while back that he's doing pretty much all the cobbled classics.

(Unfortunately, Feltet.dk lost that nifty feature where you could easily go find all articles about a certain rider.)

He's not on PCS list of team lineups.

 

[Heston]

Huh? Pretty sure I read a while back that he's doing pretty much all the cobbled classics.

(Unfortunately, Feltet.dk lost that nifty feature where you could easily go find all articles about a certain rider.)

Pretty sure they've said hes not doing Ronde and Roubaix because hes doing the Giro.

 

[RedheadDane]

Pretty sure they've said hes not doing Ronde and Roubaix because hes doing the Giro.

That makes sense.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Pretty sure they've said hes not doing Ronde and Roubaix because hes doing the Giro.

But this would be very surprising: the guy has top places in races like Omloot, E3 and GW this year. I would expect him to appear in PR at least.

 

[RedheadDane]

But this would be very surprising: the guy has top places in races like Omloot, E3 and GW this year. I would expect him to appear in PR at least.

Maybe he'll appear by the side of the road, handing out bottles.

 

[topcat]

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/ronde-van-vlaanderen/2026/startlist

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Pretty sure they've said hes not doing Ronde and Roubaix because hes doing the Giro.

Lund can always drop out of the Giro after a couple a sprints. No biggie.
RVV and PR is the real deal and Lund is hot.

 

[vappa]

It's time for one of the most beautiful and difficult classics of the season. Just one week from now! Winding roads among green hills, cobbled climbs and long history (110th edition). A distance of nearly 280 km coupled with uphill cobbles sectors make it a difficult test of endurance and will. Even the strongest guys will be tested to the limit. The key climbs are Oude Kwaremont, climbed twice (this is where Pogacar does most damage), Kruisberg, Koppenberg and Paterberg (done soon after Kwaremont).

It's also time for another clash between Pogacar and Van der Poel: the best one-day racers of the last few decades. Pogacar is in ominous form and after finally conquering MSR he is #1 favourite to win his 3rd title here. However, his chief rival Van der Poel is one of the greatest riders in history of this race (3 wins, 2 runner-ups and once 3rd place) and could be a standalone record holder if he wins again. But is he at his peak form? (he will need it to have any chance to follow Pogacar). This time a normal poll, two of the participants are among the best ever in this race.

The winners of 2020s editions:
2025: Pogacar
2024: Van der Poel
2023: Pogacar
2022: Van der Poel
2021: Asgreen
2020: Van der Poel

Favourites:
Pogacar *****
Van der Poel ****
Van Aert, Pedersen ***
De Lie, Laporte, F. Vermeersch **
A few others *

Map:

Profile:

Key climbs:

Isn't Oude Kwaremont done 3 times?

 

[Alexandre B.]

Pogacar 1st.
Van der Poel 2nd.
Van Aert 3rd.

Enjoy your Sunday.

 

[hayneplane]

Isn't Oude Kwaremont done 3 times?

Climbed three times but only really raced twice.

 

[YavorD]

Pretty sure they've said hes not doing Ronde and Roubaix because hes doing the Giro.

Pedersen did full classics season and had his best ever GT.
I think it will be a waste for Lund Andresen to skip at least Roubaix.

 

[vappa]

Pogacar 1st.
Van der Poel 2nd.
Van Aert 3rd.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Timegaps?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Obviously too early to tell for the weather for next Sunday but currently notable winds appear very likely.

 

[Didinho]

It's Segaert's race to lose.

 

[ashhutch1997]

Unpopular opinion, since moving the finish to Oudenaarde, the race has become too hard and selective. Was a much better race with the old finish in Meerbeke.

 

[canina82]

Unpopular opinion, since moving the finish to Oudenaarde, the race has become too hard and selective. Was a much better race with the old finish in Meerbeke.

RVV has been the best race of the last 15 years due to that change.

 

[canina82]

How is the wind for Sunday? Only chance of a close battle is probably a hard headwind.

 

[Berniece]

I expect MVDP to win it. He's in great shape.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I expect MVDP to win it. He's in great shape.

But is he really in devastating form? He will need it to have a chance to follow all Pogacar's attacks (and even then it will be difficult).
We will find out next week, he looked superb in Tirreno but not that great afterwards.