"The race is bigger than life": Tom Boonen looks forward to a spectacular Tour of Flanders 2026 edition

During his days, Tom Boonen was an absolute powerhouse when it came it cobbled Classics, Monuments included. Next to the four Paris-Roubaix cobbles, we also find three Tour of Flanders trophies in Boonen's palmares. Despite having retired in 2017, the Belgian continues to follow the Flemish Monument closely and will be on the course in three weeks' time as a guest in the team car of Soudal - Quick-Step - the team he spent his entire professional career at.

With 122 professional victories to his name, Boonen's career would've already been a tremendous success had he not won Tour of Flanders, but thanks to Ronde, the collection is truly complete: "Of course I would have been satisfied then too, but the Tour, that is something special. They are three very beautiful cherries on a richly filled cake," Boonen told De Zondag.

A challenging mix of steep climbs and cobbled sectors spread across more than 250 kilometers, the Tour of Flanders is a true test of rider's qualities. That's why winning one, let alone three, editions is rarely down to luck. Even more so in the era of Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar who have split among themselves evenly the four most recent editions.

"Racing in Flanders is and remains unique," Boonen nods. "I follow cycling all year round and know perfectly well who won where and how everything unfolded, but for 'our' races, I happily settle down on the couch. To watch on television, because that gives you the best overview."

Despite the Dutch-Slovenian duo's dominance, Tour of Flanders still attracts adventurers from across the cycling world. All with the ambition to stand on top of the podium in Oudenaarde.

"Of the 180 riders at the start, 90 actually think they can win. Or at least *want* to win," Boonen assesses. "The nervousness hanging in the air, the high tension on the riders’ faces… In 2002, when I rode the Tour for the first time as a neo-pro with US Postal, I never would have dared to think that I would ever win it. Let alone three times. The race is bigger than life."

"It is so much more than a race. Over the past three decades, the race has grown so much, in every respect. It is also the climax of the Flemish Cycling Week, the day that cycling fans have been looking forward to for months. You have many races that draw a lot of fans, but during the Tour, there is literally not a single stretch where there aren't supporters. And often they stand rows and rows deep."

With both defending champion Pogacar and three-time champion Van der Poel at the starting line on April 5th, there's no need to go the extra mile in search of a clear favourite. Boonen thinks so as well, but he still

"I don’t make predictions. If logic prevails, it will be between Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar. But in a race, you never know, right? That bit of luck… Do you know who I really wish it for? Wout van Aert. Just let him finally win his first Tour. He really deserves it," Boonen believes.

But if the two superstars deliver a spectacle, Boonen won't be angry with either Pogacar equaling, or Van der Poel surpassing his Tour of Flanders track record. "Just give me a great final and lots of excitement. A 50-kilometer solo like that? The ex-athlete in me thinks that’s great. But as a regular fan, what good is that?", he concludes.