Boogerd fully backs Van der Poel: “If there’s one race that suits Mathieu, it’s the Tour of Flanders”

Last year, Van der Poel was outclassed by Tadej Pogačar. The two rivals pushed each other to the limit, but on the final passage of the Oude Kwaremont, the world champion’s pressure proved too much. Many see that as the key reason to label Pogačar the clear favourite, but Boogerd is not fully convinced.

That is because, in his view, Van der Poel is built for Flanders. “If there’s one race that suits Mathieu, it’s the Tour of Flanders,” he told De Telegraaf. “I hear people saying he is becoming less dominant, but if you look at the numbers he produced in the E3 Saxo Classic, I disagree. He rode 446 watts for 90 minutes and, according to him, it was even better than he has ever done over that kind of duration. Then you are not in bad shape, if you ask me.”

In the most recent edition of Milan-San Remo, the former world champion also could not stay with his Slovenian rival. “He simply wasn’t at his very best, and beforehand Van der Poel himself had already said that if he were one percent below his top level, Pogačar would drop him. In Flanders, he will have to cling to Pogačar’s wheel on the Oude Kwaremont. If he can do that, he can win the Tour of Flanders for a fourth time.”

Are there other contenders? Absolutely, says Boogerd, although he places them one step below the very top favourites. Wout van Aert, for example. “Honestly, I would love to see Wout van Aert win it, because he is a tremendous rider. Maybe this will be his time. I have to say that, compared to the last two years, he looks stronger. Maybe that ankle injury this winter was not even such a bad thing, and after some rest he now seems to be in very good shape.”

Remco Evenepoel will make his debut in Flanders’ Finest. “It is brave that he is giving it a try. You can only praise him for that, but he will find it difficult to position himself. The Tour of Flanders is such a nervous race on those narrow roads and climbs. On the other hand, he should be able to handle this very well, because the character of the course does suit him. And when you look at his palmarès, he has a great track record in one-day races.”

The Belgian squad of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe also has a strong team around its leader. Think of the experienced Gianni Vermeersch, but also Dutch brothers Tim and Mick van Dijke who have already made an excellent impression this spring. Tim, for example, finished second in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. So what might the twins be able to show in Flanders? Boogerd dares to dream that they could one day win the race themselves.

“Those guys really have something and they are not afraid to race,” said the former rider from The Hague. “In the 2024 Paris-Roubaix won by Van der Poel, both of them finished in the top 20. Tim was even eighth, but he was moved down in the classification for a ridiculous reason. All of a sudden they decided to apply a track rule. As far as I am concerned, that place still counts. They are fresh riders who can still improve and yes, maybe even enough to become winners themselves.”