The Slovenian professional cyclist from UAE Team Emirates won after 273.4 kilometres in Oudenaarde after an impressive solo performance ahead of the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and the Danish former world champion Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo).
First triumph for Pogacar at the Tour of Flanders
For Pogacarwho broke away on the penultimate climb, this is his first triumph in the Belgian cycling monument. At the same time, he demonstrated his excellent spring form; it was the 24-year-old's tenth win of the season.
In the most important Belgian cobblestone classic with its 19 poisonous climbs, the Jonas Rutsch (EF Education EasyPost) dominated the race for a long time as part of a leading group. As expected, German riders played no part in the battle for victory.
Mass crash causes a stir
There was a great deal of excitement caused by the Polish Filip Maciejuk (Bahrain-Victorious) triggered a mass crash. The 23-year-old crashed into the ditch at a road narrowing a good 142 kilometres before the finish, At full speed, however, he recklessly jumped back onto the carriageway and cleared almost the entire field. Involved in the crash were co-favourite Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and the former world champions Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal - Quick Step) and Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies).
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