'Mathieu is going to be very hard to beat' – Tadej Pogačar sizes up main rival Van der Poel ahead of Monument rematch in Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel is not concerned with the record of most victories ever in the Tour of Flanders. The Dutchman nevertheless wants to win the monument for the fourth time in his career this weekend

Our Tadej Pogačar, the best cyclist in the world, is looking forward to the famous Paris-Roubaix race, but first he will compete in the Tour of Flanders this weekend.

2 days before the Tour of Flanders, top favorite Mathieu van der Poel has made himself heard. "I think it's still fair to say that Tadej and I are above the rest", the three-time winner looks ahead. "But underestimating the other riders is not an option."

The next duel between world champion Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel will be at De Ronde. Alex Kirsch will only remain the role of the spectator.

On Sunday, the second cycling monument of the year, the Tour of Flanders, will be run, and Tadej Pogacar is among the big favorites.

Tadej Pogacar learned the lesson. A few days before taking the start of a Tour des Flandres which will mark his reunion with Mathieu van der Poel, who had deprived him of his first victory over Milan-Sanremo last month, the Slovenian had only one thing in the lead: not to find himself again in a sprint to win it with the Dutchman. The world champion who won the "Round" in 2023 (NDLR: His only victory in the rendezvous) will therefore do everythi…