Tour Of Flanders 2024: Pogacar And Van Der Poel's Epic Battle

Viktoria Ivanova

5 min read

Post on May 26, 2025

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H2: Pogacar's Strengths and Strategy for the Ronde

Pogacar's ascent to cycling superstardom has been meteoric. While famed for his Grand Tour dominance, his capabilities extend far beyond the high mountains.

H3: Climbing Prowess:

• Unrivaled ascent: Pogacar's climbing prowess is undeniable, evident in his numerous Grand Tour stage wins and overall victories. His explosive power and relentless pacing on inclines make him a formidable opponent on any climb.
• Style and adaptation: His climbing style, characterized by precise power application and tactical acceleration, might be unexpectedly advantageous on the steeper cobbled climbs of the Ronde. He can adapt his pacing to conserve energy and unleash devastating attacks when it matters most.
• Past successes: While not a traditional Classics specialist, his ability to conquer steep gradients bodes well for success on the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg, crucial ascents in the Tour of Flanders 2024.

H3: Adaptability to Cobbles:

• Progressive improvement: Pogacar's performances on cobbled sections have progressively improved. Though not his natural terrain, his commitment to adapting his riding style to the unique demands of these sections suggests he is actively working to overcome this weakness.
• Specialized training: It’s likely that his training regimen for the Tour of Flanders 2024 will include dedicated sessions focusing on cobbled roads and bike handling skills specific to this terrain.
• Team Support: The strength of his UAE Team Emirates squad will be crucial in navigating the treacherous cobbled sectors, shielding him from crashes and guiding him through tricky sections.

H3: Tactical Approach:

• Controlled aggression: Expect a controlled yet aggressive approach from Pogacar. He might try to avoid early attacks, conserving energy for the crucial climbs in the final stages of the race.
• Teamwork: His team will likely work to control the pace, setting up his attacks on the key climbs.
• Strategic attacks: The Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg are likely locations for decisive attacks. Pogacar's ability to make late, powerful surges could be his winning strategy.

H2: Van der Poel's Dominance and Potential Challenges

Mathieu van der Poel is a Classics legend. His ability on the cobblestones is almost unparalleled.

H3: Cobble Expertise:

• Unmatched skills: Van der Poel's bike handling skills on cobbled surfaces are legendary, providing him with a significant advantage over many of his rivals. His experience navigating the treacherous sections of the Ronde is invaluable.
• Punchy power: His strength on short, punchy climbs – the type prevalent in the Tour of Flanders – is ideally suited for the race's demands.
• Past victories: While he hasn't won the Tour of Flanders yet, his previous performances and victories in other cobbled Classics highlight his capability of winning the race.

H3: Form and Fitness:

• Recent performances: A close watch on Van der Poel's form in the lead-up to the race will be critical. Injuries or inconsistent performances could impact his chances.
• Fatigue factor: The demanding nature of the spring classics season means fatigue could be a factor. Managing his energy throughout the campaign will be vital.
• Training: Monitoring his training progress and assessing his readiness for the intense demands of the Ronde is essential to predicting his performance.

H3: Strategic Considerations:

• Early aggression: Van der Poel's strategy might involve early aggressive attacks to break up the peloton and put pressure on his rivals.
• Team Alpecin-Deceuninck: His Alpecin-Deceuninck team's strength will be crucial in supporting him throughout the race, controlling the pace, and shielding him from attacks.
• Countering Pogacar: He'll need a strategy to counteract Pogacar's climbing strength, perhaps targeting him on the flatter sections or launching attacks before the most challenging climbs.

H2: Other Key Contenders and Potential Upsets

While Pogacar and Van der Poel dominate the narrative, other riders possess the potential to impact the race significantly. Wout van Aert, for example, remains a strong contender. A surprise victory from a rider like Dylan van Baarle or even a dark horse competitor is certainly possible.

• Wout van Aert: A consistent top performer in Classics races.
• Dylan van Baarle: Proven ability in challenging Classics.
• Dark Horses: Several lesser-known riders might excel with favorable conditions.

H2: The Course and Its Significance

The Tour of Flanders 2024 course, with its iconic climbs and treacherous cobbled sectors, will play a crucial role in determining the winner.

H3: Key Climbs and Cobbled Sectors:

• Oude Kwaremont: A legendary climb known for its steep gradients and punishing cobbles.
• Paterberg: An extremely steep and short climb, often a decisive point in the race.
• Koppenberg: Another notorious cobbled climb.
• Numerous other challenging sectors: The race features many other significant climbs and cobbled sections throughout the course, each presenting its own challenges.

H3: Weather Conditions:

• Wind and rain: Strong winds and rain can significantly impact the race, favoring aggressive riders and potentially causing crashes and splits in the peloton.
• Sun and warmth: Conversely, favorable weather conditions might allow for a more controlled race, favouring riders with superior stamina.

H3: Conclusion: Predicting the Winner of the Tour of Flanders 2024

The Tour of Flanders 2024 presents a fascinating clash between Pogacar's climbing dominance and Van der Poel's cobblestone mastery. While both riders possess exceptional skills, the unpredictable nature of the race and the contributions of other top contenders make it incredibly difficult to predict a definitive winner. However, the anticipated battle between these two cycling giants promises to be a spectacle not to be missed. Who will prevail in this epic showdown? Only time will tell.

Follow the Tour of Flanders 2024 closely and share your predictions for the Pogacar vs. Van der Poel battle! Let us know who you think will claim victory in this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen. Join the discussion on [link to relevant forum/social media page].