'It's one of the hardest races I've ever done' - Mathieu van der Poel on his historic Tour of Flanders victory
World champion becomes seventh man in history to win the race three times


The scene on the Koppenberg was mayhem, riders strewn across the narrow hill, both feet on the floor, slipping on its rain-soaked cobbles. They gripped their bikes and pushed in a panic. The race was getting away from them. With 45km to go, this was the decisive moment.
Ahead, the blur of the world champion’s rainbow bands grew fainter and smaller. His number one dossard, too. Where mortals were forced to walk, Mathieu van der Poel flew. The Dutchman, born on Belgian soil, vanished over the crest of the climb, not to be seen again until the podium ceremony over an hour later.
“I was slipping and sliding all the way to the top,” Van der Poel said post-race. Crucially, though, he remained seated in the saddle. Only a handful of riders did. It was a show of handling prowess, characteristic of the six-time cyclo-cross world champion, that set him up to solo clear, onto victory, and into the history books.
Prior to Sunday, only six men had won the Tour Flanders three times. Van der Poel became the seventh.
“My season is already a success now,” he smiled. "Winning the Tour of Flanders in the world champion’s jersey is a dream come true. I just need a few moments to let it sink in.”
As his advantage grew in the race, stretching from seven seconds to over a minute, so did the lactic acid in his legs. The rain fell in Flanders, dealing the world champion a test of the hardest endurance, one that asked for mental strength as much as physical.
“I was really completely empty in the last 10km to the finish line,” the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider said. “I just closed my eyes and tried to get there as soon as possible.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
When he finally reached it, he had time to savour the moment. Having pedalled for over six hours straight, Van der Poel eased off in the final meters, and swung his leg over his bike frame across the line. He then stood, in the middle of a usually non-descript carriageway outside Oudenaarde, and lifted his bike above his head.
The breathlessness in his winner’s interview was telling. “It’s one of the hardest races I’ve ever done,” the world champion said. Can he repeat the feat at Paris-Roubaix in a week’s time? “I cannot think about Roubaix yet,” he stared back at the interviewer. In an honest tone, he added: “I’m really, really f*cked at the moment.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is fluent in French and Spanish, and holds a master's degree in International Journalism. Since 2020, he has been the host of The TT Podcast, offering race analysis and rider interviews.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill, and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides. His best result is 28th in a hill-climb competition, albeit out of 40 entrants.
-
'There's no hack to it': Health comes before cycling performance, insists nutritionist – and why pizza trumps McDonalds
Want to reach your potential on the bike? Get healthy first. Endurance nutritionist Jill Mooney talks to Cycling Weekly's Going Long podcast
-
We rated Tadej Pogačar's Tour de France-winning shoes for their lightweight, ventilation and super stiff sole, but were let down by the cost – now with a whopping £184 reduction, they are a bargain buy
Deals Pogačar's DMT KR-SL shoes are some of the best road cycling shoes on the market now with 50% off at Sigma Sports
-
Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
-
'It was like a stone hitting my face' - Mathieu van der Poel calls for 'legal action' after bottle incident at Paris-Roubaix
The winner was hit by a bottle in the face on Templeuve, sector 8b
-
Mathieu van der Poel secures Paris-Roubaix hat-trick after epic duel with Tadej Pogačar
Dutchman takes his third win in a row after Pogačar crashes on the cobbles, while Mads Pedersen finishes third
-
'I start every race to win' - Mathieu van der Poel fired up ahead of Paris-Roubaix showdown with Tadej Pogačar
Two-time winner says he has suffered with illness during spring Classics campaign
-
British team blocked from competing in key Spring Classics
Hess Cycling not invited to Amstel Gold Race
-
'Once we were four, I was really confident about winning' - Tenacious Lotte Kopecky hangs in at Tour of Flanders for victory
The Belgian isn't interested in making history, but is just doing so accidentally
-
'It's scary to see how much better he is' - Tadej Pogačar conquers all at the Tour of Flanders
The world champion won by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
-
Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an option
Slovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde