“Van der Poel is very strong” - Tadej Pogacar warned ahead of Tour of Flanders clash

With just days to go before the Tour des Flandres on the 5th of April, the pre-race analysis is taking shape among authoritative voices in the peloton. One of them is Juan Antonio Flecha, former professional, podium finisher in this very race, and current classics commentator on Eurosport, who shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel Comouna Flecha.

In his reflection, Flecha does more than name the favourites Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, and Mathieu van der Poel. He interprets what happened in the build-up races such as the E3 Saxo Classic and Middelkerke - Wevelgem in recent days, key to understanding what might unfold at the Tour des Flandres next Sunday. His reading blends tactical experience, knowledge of the terrain, and a clear view of the form of the big names who will fight for victory.

The former pro frames his analysis by contextualizing the previous week and the meaning of these races on the eve of the Monument, underlining the magnitude of the event: “This isn’t a preview video of the Tour des Flandres, but we are in the days leading up to… the most beautiful race on the calendar,” a statement that reflects the importance he assigns to this classic within world cycling, while using these tests as a competitive barometer.

Drawing on what he saw at E3, Flecha delves into the tactical errors that can shape a race like Flanders, highlighting how even the best can slip at key moments: “In the end they just watched each other, nobody wanted to take responsibility and the race slipped away,” he explains, stressing that this kind of indecision can be decisive where every move counts. Along the same lines, he cautions against easy conclusions: “I can’t say for sure they raced to lose or were happy with second or third, especially because it contradicts everything they did before.”

The analysis shifts to the form of the main favourites, with special attention to the duel between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, two riders likely to define the race. Flecha acknowledges the very high level shown in recent days and leans slightly towards the Dutchman: “I think we all see that Van der Poel is very strong, maybe a notch above Van Aert,” an assessment that suggests a potential scenario of dominance without ruling out alternatives.

He also introduces a third key actor who could tilt the balance in Flanders: “It’s very likely Tadej Pogacar will be there in Flanders too,” broadening the outlook to a multi-rider duel that heightens uncertainty. In this context, he insists that recent racing leaves many doors open: “We can expect a beautiful duel, with several riders in top form and uncertain outcomes.”

Finally, Flecha highlights the spectacle and the unpredictable nature of these races, where tactical detail and endurance make the difference: “We’ve had two beautiful race finales,” he says of the build-up events, hinting that the Tour des Flandres could follow the same line of excitement and uncertainty, with long-range attacks, natural selections, and decisions that, as we have seen, can decide an entire classic.