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

[Squire]

4th year in a row that the race is brute-forced from the final Kwaremont/Paterberg combo, with no suspense in the last 20 km. It's getting a bit meh, despite record number of big name challengers this year.

 

[AmRacer]

Remco better debut than Pogi.

 

[dobrien]

He looked way worse than expected (by me at least) after the strong prep races. But yes, P-R suits him more

I don’t know, this is a much harder race and he’s only 40 seconds out of a podium, it’s not a disaster by any means imho.

 

[jono]

4th year in a row that the race is brute-forced from the final Kwaremont/Paterberg combo, with no suspense in the last 20 km. It's getting a bit meh, despite record number of big name challengers this year.

2 years ago it was solo from Koppenberg.

 

[canina82]

Even on the flat, only Remco is somehow close, losing only 10-15"

 

[AmRacer]

4th year in a row that the race is brute-forced from the final Kwaremont/Paterberg combo, with no suspense in the last 20 km. It's getting a bit meh, despite record number of big name challengers this year.

Mathieu podium seven times in a row

 

[YavorD]

sad day whenever uae win

I don't think it would be better if MVDP cruise to 6 RvV wins, but that's for neutrals

 

[search]

Trentin crashed and was brought to the hospital. Sheffield and Watson were involved as well

https://www.nieuwsblad.be/sport/wielrennen/stevige-valpartij-buiten-beeld-met-meerdere-renners-ontsiert-finale-matteo-trentin-afgevoerd-naar-ziekenhuis/145239994.html

 

[dazaau]

A few years ago, MVP was considered the best flandrien rider of all times. Now, we have this scenario over and over again.

If it wasn't for Pog mvdp's record here would be insane. It is what it is I guess.

Next week will be very interesting

 

[TourOfSardinia]

ITTs are not my thing

 

[KoopaCycling]

They will finish 1,2,3 in the order that is right in terms of who was strongest.

That said I think Remco and MVDP were close to each other but MPVD slightly stronger on the climbs. Had MVDP rode smarter he and Remco might have been able to keep Pogacar in check and made it a close finish. Alas. Whereas MVPD had moments he rode it right imo, he too often rode it wrong helping Pogacar to much. He was maybe better off If remco ultimately made it back at least 10 km before final Kwaremont. Despite that Remco came close, only to be thwarted by 2 moto's. Clearly Pogacar was the strongest. But had MVDP worked with Remco instead of with Pogacar it could have been a different ending than simply those determined by the legs.

 

[Salvarani]

What a win

 

[ppanther92]

Remco better debut than Pogi.

Place wise, in reality Pogacar sprinted for the win from a group in his debut.

 

[Boehmand]

It's hard to point to anything that the top 5 could have done differently, which would have made a significant difference to where they are in the race.

It's pretty much just a straight up measurement of their current strength.

 

[LookProGoSlow]

Tuned in at the last 10k and tuned out after 1 minute. No time lost watching with Pogacar in these races the result is always the same.

 

[Red Rick]

Evenepoel gonna get RVV podium while carefully dodging Strava top 20s on all the cobbled hills

 

[canina82]

The real train is Pogacar not the other one that couldn't knock out anyone.

 

[noob]

fools never learn

 

[ppanther92]

I don’t know, this is a much harder race and he’s only 40 seconds out of a podium, it’s not a disaster by any means imho.

Disaster not, I just thought he would be closer to MvdP.

 

[canina82]

Sporza comms currently berating Van der Poel for riding like an idiot. The era of constant praise for working with the obvious winner may finally, slowly, be ending.

He almost didn't ride lol.

 

[AmRacer]

They will finish 1,2,3 in the order that is right in terms of who was strongest.

That said I think Remco and MVDP were close to each other but MPVD slightly stronger on the climbs. Had MVDP rode smarter he and Remco might have been able to keep Pogacar in check and made it a close finish. Alas. Whereas MVPD had moments he rode it right imo, he too often rode it wrong helping Pogacar to much. He was maybe better off If remco ultimately made it back at least 10 km before final Kwaremont. Despite that Remco came close, only to be thwarted by 2 moto's. Clearly Pogacar was the strongest. But had MVDP worked with Remco instead of with Pogacar it could have been a different ending than simply those determined by the legs.

Mathieu utilities the best possible strategy to give him a chance to win

 

[Pippo_San]

Yeah what's left to say.
I expected a little bit more fighting but it is what it is.
Too much Tadej.
Such an incredible high level.
Another gem, another marvel.

But yeah a bit dull overall.

 

[dobrien]

If it wasn't for Pog mvdp's record here would be insane. It is what it is I guess.

Next week will be very interesting

Yes it will.

 

[Poursuivant]

40” gaps all the way.

 

[dazaau]

ITTs are not my thing

Nor mvdp,who is probably pushing more watts and has gone from 16 seconds to 50 seconds