Tom Boonen advices Mathieu van der Poel "to not risk" by riding Gent - Wevelgem and E3 with hand injury

It was probably bound to eventually happen one day, but Tadej Pogacar finally broke Mathieu van der Poel at the 2026 Milano-Sanremo. However their battle was heavily influenced by a crash that occured before the race's finale, leaving Pogacar severely bruised and Van der Poel with a visible left hand injury. While adrenaline rush got the two men through the final hour of the race, consequences of this fall could carry over to the cobbled Monuments.

While Pogacar didn't look as impacted in his performances as he attacked his last year's climbing times, Van der Poel lost ground on Poggio. Not good news for the cobbles where Van der Poel aims to return to Tour of Flanders throne while attempting a four-peat at Paris-Roubaix.

Fellow cobbles legend Tom Boonen fears Van der Poel's hand injury could prove an issue during the oncoming classics campaign: "I saw that hand and it was swollen, and I fear it is worse than we think," he said on the LSRF podcast.

The Belgian then shares his own experience with a similar predicament: "I fell on my hands once. Nothing broken, but the tendon was exposed and they stitched the wound," he recalls. "Then I developed an infection from continuing to race in bad weather. I made it to Roubaix by the skin of my teeth," he says, indicating how close his participation was. "Hands are very important for a cyclist. I really hope it’s not too bad."

Boonen further points out that, depending on the nature of his injury, harsh weather conditions could worsen the state of his hand. And the forecast is definitely not expecting a sunny day out at Gent - Wevelgem and E3 Saxo Classic. "They’ve predicted awful weather."

Rain and cold are one thing, but the Flemish Ardennes bring with them a unique and dangerous element, especially in the spring. "People don’t realize that in Flanders you’re riding through wet manure then. Farmers have been driving [their agricultural tools there] and the shit is on the road."

An open wound thus becomes an open door for infections. And battling an infection when your challenger is such a phenomenal cyclist that Tadej Pogacar is, that's the last thing any rider would wish. Thus, for Boonen the next course of action is clear: "Racing in the rain is certainly not advisable, especially with wounds. An infection can develop quickly, certainly about five days later."

With Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in mind, is it worth for the risk for the Dutchman and his team Alpecin-Premier Tech? Boonen is clear: "You really should avoid that."

According to Boonen, the focus must be entirely on the Monuments on the schedule. "I wouldn’t have ridden Gent-Wevelgem and the E3. Especially with Roubaix and Flanders on the program. I wouldn’t risk it."

After all, Alpecin can play their other card - Jasper Philipsen - at the run-up events while Van der Poel saves his matches and focuses on a swift recovery to be at his best in two weeks from now. When it matters.