According to Cycling Statistics, if you rewind to 2016, the
script was strikingly similar. Slovak superstar
Peter Sagan, in his first
season wearing the rainbow jersey, powered to victory in the men’s edition of
De Ronde. Hours earlier, Great Britain’s
Lizzie Deignan (then Armitstead),
reigning women’s World Champion, had claimed her own win. It was a banner day
for cycling, and for the rainbow stripes.
Fast forward nine years, and Flanders delivered another
unforgettable double yesterday. Tadej Pogacar, wearing the rainbow jersey for
UAE Team Emirates–XRG, produced one of the most impressive rides of his career,
dismantling rivals including Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert to win his
second Tour of Flanders.
In the women’s race, the home crowd had reason to roar as
Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky, also racing in the World Champion’s colours, stormed
to victory. Already a national icon, Kopecky added a record third Flanders
title to her palmarès in emphatic fashion, this time with the added pressure
and prestige of defending the rainbow stripes on home roads.
For both Pogacar and Kopecky, these victories were not just about
their incredible talent, though that was clearly on full display. They were
about rising to the expectations that come with the rainbow jersey and
delivering on the biggest of stages, and defeating other legendary riders.