"Tadej is abnormal, the most complete rider there is" - Matxin praises Pogacar after Tour of Flanders win

UAE Team Emirates - XRG can only be happy with how the 2026 season is going. If Tadej Pogacar had already been dominant in the past, the 2026 version of the World Champion looks straight up unbeatable. There was never much doubt in a Tour of Flanders that was raced like 12 months ago, and the manager of the Emirati team had nothing but praise for the team.

“We never think about scenarios where we drop our rivals, but rather about what those rivals can do. That is why we took control of the race, with Mikkel Bjerg riding 150 kilometres on the front. Then the others made a selection and a natural selection emerged among the big names," Matxin said in an interview with In de Leiderstrui.

Florian Vermeersch accelerated on the Molenberg, a telegraphed move which was used at the Omloop het Nieuwsblad, and split the peloton to a group of around 20 riders that collaborated to keep the main peloton away and secure strong results on the day.

However, despite having only two riders in it, the high pace and willingness for collaboration meant UAE was never put under pressure. Hence when the riders arrived at the Oude Kwaremont for the second time, like last year, Pogacar made the selection.

What followed was a repeat of last year where he was only followed by Mathieu van der Poel on the Koppenberg, and then dropped the Dutchman on the final ascent of the Kwaremont, the last long climb of the race.

“It was a great race, a great performance, and he had great teammates. Tadej is abnormal, the most complete rider there is. And I think this Tour of Flanders is one of the most beautiful races of recent times.”

This win was complemented by the seeming peak form of all his main rivals, including Remco Evenepoel who had no difficulties with his debut at 'De Ronde'. “Head to head with Mathieu, Remco, Wout and Mads, the best names at the moment, in one of the biggest races... Because it was not necessarily about tactics. It was about power and just doing your job.”

Now, the fourth race of the season is going to be his second major challenge of the spring, a race he is yet to win: Paris-Roubaix. The same way Pogacar received collaboration from his rivals despite being the strongest on the bergs of Flanders, Matxin says he will do the same next Sunday.

“For me, that shows the character of a champion," he explained, providing insight as to why Mathieu van der Poel did not refuse to work with the Slovenian. "They always ride to win and do their turns. Tadej will also do that in Roubaix, even though Mathieu is faster".

However without the climbs, it will be a harder race for the rainbow jersey. But one that is very possible in his current form, where he should have a favourite status shared with van der Poel. “It is a complicated race, without the natural selection of a Tour of Flanders. It is about positioning and surviving the crucial moments. It will be difficult.”