"I am just so happy to win in this jersey this race” - Tadej Pogacar's dreams come true at 2025 Tour of Flanders

Was it ever really in doubt? Tadej Pogacar has silenced all those who dared to question him following Milano-Sanremo, by emphatically soloing to a spectacular 8th Monument victory of his career at the 2025 Tour of Flanders.

That's not to say the Slovenian had things all his own way however. Far from it in fact. Despite repeated attacks from Pogacar over the course of the day, Mathieu van der Poel, and to a lesser extent Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert, consistently proved his match. On the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont though, the Rainbow Jersey left all his rivals in the dust with a blistering assault on the cobbles. From there, there was only one winner and the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader soloed all the way to the finish line for the biggest and arguably best win of his 2025 season so far.

“The goal was to win but in the end, it was hard to realize it,” reflected a clearly delighted Pogacar honestly in his post-race interview at the finish line. “We did it and I cannot be more proud of the team and how we raced today, even though he we had some bad luck. In the end all was good. I am just so happy to win in this jersey this race.”

Arguably the most interesting part of this performance from Pogacar, is the potential sucker punch he may have handed his rivals ahead of his highly-anticipated debut at next weekend's Paris-Roubaix. Is this a sign of things to come on the French cobbles, or can the likes of Van der Poel, Pedersen and Van Aert bounce back? Only time will tell, but there is one for certain: it's almost certain to be another thrilling race next Sunday, regardless of who wins the race!