Remco Evenepoel takes third in dramatic Ronde of Flanders as Pogacar seals record win
Remco Evenepoel finished third in Oudenaarde on Sunday as Tadej Pogacar controlled the Ronde of Flanders from early on and rode away on the Oude Kwaremont. Mathieu van der Poel took second after chasing hard to the line, while Remco Evenepoel held on for a strong debut podium in one of cycling’s biggest races. The result came after Pogacar’s decisive move on the last climb of the Oude Kwaremont and set up a record third victory in the race.
Pogacar powers clear on the final climbs
The race changed when Pogacar took control on the hills and kept pressing on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. From there, he opened a gap on Van der Poel and continued to stretch it toward Oudenaarde, where the finish awaited after a long solo run-in. Remco Evenepoel was also in the front group for much of the day, but he was distanced on the Paterberg and then faced a minute’s gap before the finish.
At the line, Pogacar added a third Ronde of Flanders to his list of wins, becoming one of the race’s all-time record holders. Van der Poel finished second, while Remco Evenepoel completed the podium after battling through his first appearance in the event.
Remco Evenepoel holds on for a debut podium
Remco Evenepoel’s third place was one of the most notable takeaways from the race. He stayed close after being dropped on the first Paterberg, kept fighting on the wheel of the leaders for a while, and remained in contention for the podium until the decisive late moves separated the front runners. His ride was met with loud support in Oudenaarde, where the crowd reacted strongly as the leading trio came into view.
Wout van Aert finished fourth, with Mads Pedersen fifth. The top positions settled in the final kilometers as the pace and the wind helped Pogacar extend his lead. Remco Evenepoel, meanwhile, crossed the line as the best-placed debutant in the race.
Immediate reactions at the finish
Van der Poel and Van Aert both congratulated Pogacar after the finish. Pogacar’s brief post-race message to them was: “See you next week. ” That pointed directly to Paris-Roubaix, the next major target on the calendar.
The finishing order also underlined the scale of Pogacar’s performance. He is now the eighth rider to win the Ronde of Flanders three times, while Remco Evenepoel added a podium finish on a day when the front group was never far from pressure but never able to bring Pogacar back.
What comes next
The result sends Pogacar into the next major spring race with momentum and another Monument added to his season. For Remco Evenepoel, the takeaway is simpler: a podium on debut, hard-earned against two proven specialists, and a clear marker for what he can bring to this race in future editions. For now, the focus shifts to what happens next, with Remco Evenepoel leaving Oudenaarde third and Pogacar once again in command.
