Few riders dare to cross the invisible barrier that separates battling for Grand Tours to fighting for the cobbled Classics. But in 2023's 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Tour of Flanders, Tadej Pogačar proved that he, at least, is one of that rarest of rare breeds, winning aged just 24 in only his second-ever participation in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Soloing to victory in Oudenaarde, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Tadej Pogačar be♌came just the third rider to conꦦquer both the Tour de France and Belgium’s toughest cobbled Classic, and as such, he now stands alongside legends of the calibre of Louison Bobet and Eddy Merckx in the history books of the sport.
One-day specialists as experienced and resourceful as Wout van Aert and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Mathieu van der Poel were left struggling for the right to stand alongside Pogačar on the final podium, whilst sports fans across the globe were left equally stunned – in admiration for the Slovenian’s latest demonstration of two-wheeled power.
But if the final blaze of 2023 Tour of Flanders Flanders glory belonged to Pogačar and Pogačar alone, on the 273km, six-hour odyssey from Bruges to Oudenaarde, the drama, passion and pain that colours all the Classics was never lacking.
And from mass crashes to desperate lone pursuits, fro🦄m furious, s✃pine-tingling cobbled accelerations to refusals to surrender no matter the cost, the full range of Classics emotions were captured by the experienced pro cycling photographer , whose shots you can enjoy in full-width glory below.
Belgian c♚ycling fans showcasing the country's enduring love for 🐈the Cobbled Classics
Fans in Bruges overlooking the race start
Jumbo-Visma is distinct in its𒆙 🌱fandom in the current peloton
A young fan excitedly awaiting the start of the Tour of Fland🦄ers
Expectation was heavy on Wout van Aert as a major favourite 🎃for the Tour of Flanders
Wout van Aert at the race start in Bruges
Julian Alaphilippe at the race start – he entered the race as a potenti🏅al favourite
Mathieu van der Poe🔥l riding to the race sign-on in Bruges' Markt
Biniam Girmay chats to Intermarché-C𝐆ircus-Wanty teammate Sven Eri🍒k Bystrøm at the race start
The peloton moves through an early cobbled sector
Mathieu van der Poel attacks a group containing Wout van 🍸Aert and T༺om Pidcock on the Oude Kwaremont
Mads Peders♍en of Tr🔴ek-Segafredo during his brave solo attack
Mathieu van der Poel leads the chase on the Oude Kwar🍨emont
Wout van Aert battles up the Oude Kwaremont
The breakaway group of eight, containing Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep), rolling over a cobbled ❀sector
Julian Alaphilippe at the front of the peloton – he was involved ඣin a crash in the early kilometres of the race
Wout van Aert lying in wait in the peloton
Christophe Laporte sitting💯 in the peloton. He played a supporting role for Wout van Aert after being gifted Gent-Wevelgem victory last weekend
Tom Pidcock suffered hunger knock during the race
Mads Pedersen was one of the most aggressive 🌜riders of the day, well deserving of his podium spot
Filippo Colombo of Q36.5 earned a place 🅠in🉐 the attack group
Tadej Pogacar on the Paterberg during his triumphant at💟tack
The three major favourites of the day – Van Aert, Van der Poel, a💎nd Pogacar – riding together
Jonas Rutsch of EF Education-EasyPost dropping⛎ bac🔥k from the lead group
Mads Pedersen attacking th✱e eight-man breakaway group
The chasing group in pursuit of the Danish former world cha🐬mpion
Mathi꧙eu van der Poel and Tadej Po♚gacar distancing Wout van Aert
Despite Van der Poel's attacks, he was unable to wear🍌 down the Slovenian
Tadej Pogacar on the fin♛al ascent of the Paterberg, en route to solo victory
Pogacar atop the Paterberg, with 13km remaining ꦜto the finish
Mathieu van der Poel was unable to keep pace with Pogacar on the finಞal climb of the race
Math🐈ieu van der Poel battles his way🌸 up the Paterberg
Mads Pedersen ato🅺p the Paterg, th𝓰e chase group close behind
Neilson Powless in pursuit of the podium
Matteo Jorgenson of Movistar chasin✤g the leaders – he would finish ninth
A triumphant Tadej Pogacar c🌳rossing the finish line
Pogacar's Tour of Fland▨ers is his first cobbled𓄧 Classics victory
Eddy Merckx declared after the race that 'Tadej 𝔉P💞ogacar can win everything'
An exhausted Mathieu van der Poel co🥀mes home for❀ second
T🦋he race for the podi♉um, where Pedersen outsprinted Van Aert for third place
An exhau🎶sted Yv𓆏es Lampaert after the Tour of Flanders finish
The pain of a brutal six hours in the saddle showe♎d on every rider's face
The Tour of ♏Flanders isꦉ a beloved favourite of cycling fans across the world
