Tadej Pogacar wins 2023 Tour of Flanders after late attack on Oude Kwaremont, Lotte Kopecky doubles up in women's race – Ronde van Vlaanderen 2023 results
The Slovenian becomes the third man to complete Tour de France-Tour of Flanders double, and just the second racer after legendary Eddy Merckx to win three different Monument Classics before the age of 25. In the women's race, Lotte Kopecky won her second consecutive Ronde in front of her home fans.
Cycling Road
Tadej Pogacar cycled his way to a famous win at the 2023 Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) on Sunday (2 April) after a late attack from the Slovenian distanced his rivals on the Oude Kwaremont.
Pogacar, one of the pre-race favourites alongside the likes of two-time winner Mathieu van der Poel, made his move on the penultimate climb of the 273.4km (169.9mi) men's race to leave his opponents in his wake.
The Slovenian, a two-time winner of the Tour de France, then extended his lead to 15 seconds on the final ascent of the Paterberg before putting more time between him and van der Poel to as much as 30 seconds on the final flat 13km run-in to the line.
Dominant Pogacar makes more history in men's race
Pogacar rode solo after dropping Mads Pedersen, one of the early breakaway riders, on the Oude Kwaremont and never looked back, finishing 17 seconds ahead of Dutchman Van der Poel.
Pedersen hung on to win a sprint for third in a chase group of seven riders.
Pogacar is only the second man to win three different Monuments before the age of 25, joining the legendary Eddy Merckx. Pogacar has also won Il Lombardia and Liège–Bastogne in his career. Alongside Merckx and Louison Bobet, Pogacar is also just the third cyclist to win both the Tour de France and De Ronde.
The Slovenian is the 83rd different winner of De Ronde in the race's history.
"Amazing teamwork, today was a day I will never forget," Pogacar said in his post-race remarks. "I knew that to go long, I need to go on (Oude) Kwaremont the last time. I almost cracked on Paterberg and I knew then it's gonna be tough, but it was the only way to go to the finish.
"I can say I could retire after today and I would be proud of my career, just super happy and proud. We have (Milano)–Sanremo and (Paris)–Roubaix to go (of the five Monuments), so I keep it in reserve for sure. I think I need to gain a few kilos for Roubaix and toughen my hands for the cobbles, we'll see for the future."
Asked if the season would be considered a success even if he misses out on winning the Tour de France, Pogacar added: "I think yes."
Men's 2023 Ronde van Vlaanderen – Tour des Flandres – Tour of Flanders - result
- Tadej Pogacar (SLO / UAE Team Emirates) 6:12:07
- Mathieu van der Poel (NED / Alpecin-Fenix) +00:16
- Mads Pedersen (DEN / Trek-Segafredo) +01:12
- Wout van Aert (BEL / Jumbo-Visma) same time
- Neilson Powless (USA / EF Education-EasyPost) s.t.
- Stefan Küng (SUI / Groupama-FDJ) s.t.
- Kasper Asgreen (DEN / Soudal-Quick-Step) s.t.
- Fred Wright (GBR / Bahrain Victorious) s.t.
Kopecky solos to repeat win in women's race
The women's race was dominated by Team SD Worx, who put four riders into the lead group and maintained their position with about 45km to the line.
Lorena Wiebes and Marlen Reusser both ended up dropping back, leaving their leader and defending champion Lotte Kopecky to make her move on the Oude Kwaremont.
Kopecky distanced Italy's Silvia Perisco before the cobbled climb up the Oude Kwaremont, then rode away, extending her gap on the Paterberg.
With no-one around her, the Belgian could let up in the final metres to soak in the cheers of the home fans as she became just the second back-to-back winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen women's race after Mirjam Melchers (2005–06).
Her teammate Demi Vollering won the sprint for second, while Italy's Elisa Longo Borghini of Trek-Segafredo came third.
"It's very special, everybody on social media was giving me 5 stars for this race so there was pressure. It's amazing how with the whole team we won the race," Kopecky said afterwards.
She added of the vital moment the race exploded on the climb of Koppenberg: "I thought it was dry, but a part of it was wet and there was no grip so I had to get off my bike and run,"
One of the other pre-race favourites, Annemiek van Vleuten of Movistar Team, was caught in a crash with 50km to the finish and was forced into a bike change, dropping her off the back.
Women's 2023 Ronde van Vlaanderen – Tour des Flandres – Tour of Flanders - result
- Lotte Kopecky (BEL / Team SD Worx) 4:06:09
- Demi Vollering (NED / Team SD Worx) +00:36
- Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA / Trek-Segafredo) same time
- Silvia Perisco (ITA / UAE Team ADQ) s.t.
- Katarzyna Niewiadoma (POL / Canyon-SRAM Racing) s.t.
- Juliette Labous (FRA / Team DSM) s.t.
- Marlen Reusser (SUI / Team SD Worx) s.t.
- Shirin van Anrooij (NED / Trek-Segafredo) +00:44