'I was already on the limit from quite far' – Mathieu van der Poel content with Tour of Flanders podium finish

OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 06 : pictured during the 109th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, an UCI World Tour cycling race for Men Elite with start in Bruges and finish in Oudenaarde after 268,9 km on April 6, 2025 in Oudenaarde, Belgium, 06/04/2025 ( Motor drive Guy De Vuyst - Photo by Jan De Meuleneir / Photonews
Mathieu van der Poel leads Tadej Pogačar and Mads Pedersen in an attack during the 2025 Tour of Flanders (Image credit: Getty Images)

On Sunday, there were no answers for Tadej Pogačar at the Tour of Flanders, with the world champion racing to a 19km solo victory following his race-winning attack on the Oude Kwaremont.

Reigning champion Mathieu van der Poel, the Slovenian's biggest rival for the title this year, was often the only man to match his accelerations on numerous cobbled bergs. But he couldn't find an answer on the penultimate climb of the 269km race.

Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. She has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel, and her favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from 2024 include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.

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