Tadej Pogačar Untouchable in Oudenaarde: A Masterclass at the Ronde

With a trademark mix of timing, tenacity, and sheer brilliance, Tadej Pogačar delivered a solo masterpiece across the cobbles of Flanders to claim his second Ronde van Vlaanderen crown.

The world champion blew the race apart with a decisive attack on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, going clear with 18km to go and never looking back.

It was a clinical execution of UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s plan, despite early chaos. Crashes forced out Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narváez, while teammates Nils Politt and Florian Vermeersch clawed their way back into the race after hitting the deck themselves. But as the kilometres ticked down, the Slovenian star had the support he needed. António Morgado and Mikkel Bjerg kept the tempo high, and Vermeersch delivered the world champion perfectly onto the base of the Kwaremont for his first launch.

Boldy wearing his trademark all-white World Champion kit, The Pog crosses the line for yet another professional victory. Image: Team UAE Emirates XRG.

Like usual, Pogačar was relentless. Time and again, he surged off the front, with only Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and defending champ Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) able to hang on. But when he lit the fuse one last time on the third Kwaremont ascent, not even Van der Poel could answer. The Slovenian disappeared up the road, carving out a lead that only grew as the finish approached.

Behind, a star-studded chase group featuring Jasper Stuyven, Wout van Aert, Pedersen and Van der Poel formed -but the damage was done. Pogačar was simply untouchable.

“I’m just so happy to win this race in this jersey,” Pogačar said. “We had some bad luck, but the team stuck to the plan. Florian somehow chased back after his crash to lead me into the Kwaremont – chapeau to him. Every single rider gave everything today.”

By the time he crossed the line in Oudenaarde, arms raised, the margin was clear – over a minute ahead of Pedersen, who edged Van der Poel in the sprint for second.

It was monument victory number eight for Pogačar, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s 24th win of the season. On current form, there may be many more to come.

2025 Ronde van Vlaanderen – Top 3