Fans cause falls
Politt celebrates van der Poel’s record on the podium
March 31, 2024, 5:32 p.m
Crossing the finish line in fourth place and still on the winner’s podium: Nils Politt can celebrate at the Tour of Flanders. The Cologne native is the first German to be in the top three in Belgium since 2009. Favorite Mathieu van der Poel writes his name into the record books.
For Nils Politt, some frustration turns into a lot of joy: the Cologne professional cyclist came third in the Tour of Flanders. The man from UAE Team Emirates narrowly missed making it onto the podium in fourth place in the pursuers’ finish sprint. But then he benefited from Michael Matthews’ demotion, the Australian had left the driving line in the sprint. It is Politt’s best result in Flanders.
“As far as the sprint is concerned, I can say that I was traveling at a lot of speed and had to slow down a little. The commissioners made this decision, I’m also sorry for Matthews,” said Politt. To have made it onto the podium of a monument for the second time after his second place at Paris-Roubaix 2019 was “something special”.
“It was about survival”
Favorite Mathieu van der Poel has now won the tour for the third time and has moved into the circle of record winners. The road cycling world champion reached the finish in Oudenaarde after 270.8 kilometers as a soloist and won, as he did in 2020 and 2022. In addition to the 29-year-old, only six other riders have managed to win “De Ronde” three times.
“It was all about survival today. Because of the weather, it was the toughest circuit I’ve ever ridden,” said van der Poel. “Winning Flanders in the World Cup jersey is a dream come true. I’m completely exhausted.” After his big rival Wout van Aert’s injury-related retirement and defending champion Tadej Pogacar’s retirement, the Dutchman entered the race that started in Antwerp as a hard-to-defeat favorite.
The Italian Luca Mozzato took second place on Easter Sunday. With an average speed of 44.5 kilometers per hour, it was the fastest Tour of Flanders in history. There have only been two German successes at the Ronde since its premiere in 1913: Rudi Altig won in 1964, Steffen Wesemann in 2004. Since Heinrich Haussler in 2009, no German has made it into the top three until this Sunday. The highlight of Politt’s classic season should be Paris-Roubaix next Sunday.
Giro stage winner Denz falls
Hundreds of thousands of fans lined the streets of Flanders on Belgium’s unofficial national holiday – sometimes too close to the drivers. Two crashes were apparently caused by drivers colliding with onlookers. In one case, Giro stage winner Nico Denz was involved. “The Belgians absolutely love this race,” said John Degenkolb. There was a lot of hustle and bustle, especially on the 17 critical climbs, the famous slipways such as the Paterberg and the Oude Kwaremont, as well as the seven flat cobblestone passages.
Van der Poel’s opponents had to counter the big favorite primarily with team strength. The attacks on the Dutchman began at Molenberg about 100 kilometers from the finish. The Visma-Lease a bike and Lidl-Trek teams in particular tried to stress van der Poel. Initially without effect.
45 kilometers from the finish, van der Poel struck back at the dreaded Koppenberg. The cobblestones on the up to 22 percent steep climb had become almost impassable due to the rain, only the Dutchman, Matteo Jorgensen and Mads Pedersen remained on the bike. The rest of the pursuers had to get off and push.
It would prove to be a decisive attack. Van der Poel pulled through and increased his lead at Mariaborrestraat to over half a minute. The cross world champion was able to master the last ride over the double challenge of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg in almost enjoyment mode. In six participations in Flanders, van der Poel has never been worse than fourth.