Defending champion Tadej Pogacar secured a record-equalling third Tour of Flanders title, dropping Mathieu van der Poel 18km from the finish in imperious fashion. The 27-year-old Slovenian now joins Van der Poel and six others on three wins at the Belgian Monument race after also triumphing in 2023.

Sunday's victory came after Pogacar and Van der Poel accelerated away from the field on the Oude Kwaremont with 57km remaining. Remco Evenepoel held on for third in his Flanders debut after being distanced by the leading pair on the Paterberg climb. The two rivals rode together for nearly 40km before Pogacar made his decisive move.

Having collected 12 Monument victories, Pogacar stands second all-time behind Eddy Merckx's record 19. The world champion has won all three of his races this season and could make history by winning Paris-Roubaix next weekend to join an exclusive club of just four cyclists to complete the Monument set.