'He's one level above all the rest' - Mathieu van der Poel names Tadej Pogačar as top favourite to win 2026 Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel, a three-time Tour of Flanders champion, has publicly declared Tadej Pogačar as the overwhelming favourite to win the 2026 edition of the monument. Speaking to the press, Van der Poel stated that Pogačar is "one level above all the rest," while also suggesting that Remco Evenepoel could be the only rider capable of challenging the Slovenian. This unsolicited endorsement from a reigning champion sets an early narrative for a race two years in the future.

This early prognostication from Van der Poel is significant, given Pogačar's dominant Flanders victory in 2023 and his current imperious form across various terrains. While Evenepoel's Classics ambitions have been clear, his specific focus on Flanders has been less pronounced than Pogačar's. Van der Poel's comments not only elevate Pogačar's status but also subtly position Evenepoel as the primary challenger, creating a compelling, albeit distant, rivalry narrative for one of cycling's most prestigious events.

Van der Poel, ever the strategist, seems to be setting the stage early. Whether this is genuine admiration or a clever psychological gambit to deflect pressure, only the cobbles of 2026 will truly tell.