Mathieu van der Poel said he started his sprint well in the final of the Tour of Flanders 2021, but quickly realised he didn’t have the strength to beat Kasper Asgreen.
Van der Poel, winner of the 2020 edition of the cobbled Monument, looked to be the favourite to win this year’s race into the final kilometre, as he faced a two-rider sprint with Deceuninck - Quick-Step’s Asgreen.
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British Paralympian found alive and safe after missing person reportSam Ruddock hadn't been heard from in 11 days, but has now been located
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Tadej Pogačar was dominant at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but I hope for a competitive Tour de FranceThe Slovenian has finished on the podium of the last six Monuments, the first man to do so - when will he stop dominating?
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Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incidentCycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
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'It was like a stone hitting my face' - Mathieu van der Poel calls for 'legal action' after bottle incident at Paris-RoubaixThe winner was hit by a bottle in the face on Templeuve, sector 8b
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Mathieu van der Poel secures Paris-Roubaix hat-trick after epic duel with Tadej PogačarDutchman takes his third win in a row after Pogačar crashes on the cobbles, while Mads Pedersen finishes third
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'I start every race to win' - Mathieu van der Poel fired up ahead of Paris-Roubaix showdown with Tadej PogačarTwo-time winner says he has suffered with illness during spring Classics campaign
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British team blocked from competing in key Spring ClassicsHess Cycling not invited to Amstel Gold Race
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'Once we were four, I was really confident about winning' - Tenacious Lotte Kopecky hangs in at Tour of Flanders for victoryThe Belgian isn't interested in making history, but is just doing so accidentally
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'It's scary to see how much better he is' - Tadej Pogačar conquers all at the Tour of FlandersThe world champion won by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
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Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an optionSlovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
