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Tomáš Kopecký (Unibet Rose Rockets) is the next lone rider to get a gap on the peloton as they ride into Sint-Niklaas. Kopecký is joined by a rider from Bahrain Victorious and Pinarello-Q36.5 but TotalEnergies is leading the string of riders that will bring the peloton back to them yet again.
Half an hour in and there is still no break. One Flanders-Baloise rider has a small gap but, yet again, it is swiftly closed down.
Van Aert gets back in with Stan Dewulf (Decathlon-CMA CGM) immediately starting up a conversation with him.
Van Aert rolling back into the peloton after a natural break and a quick chat at the car.
Evenepoel is making his debut at the race today…
260km to go
There is a strong headwind which is killing any attacker’s momentum.
It’s wave after wave of attacks but the peloton don’t even seem to be trying and just manage to bring it back every time.
The moves continue to come bit they just aren’t getting the gap. Marco Haller (Tudor) involved in this latest move with Jon Barrenetxea (Movistar) and a few others. The Spaniard has been riding really well in this Classics season with a couple of 12th places in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) is at the team car with radio issues.
Simmons brought back but now Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) drags three other riders clear including Fredrik Frison (Pinarello-Q36.5) but Albert Torres (Movistar) closes things down again.
Colby Simmons (EF Education-EasyPost) launches clear and has a gap. Riders trying to join but the headwind is meaning that attackers just drag the rest of the peloton.
Puncture for Fabian Lienhard (Tudor).
Hugo de la Calle (Burgos-Burpellet-BH) is the next to try a move but nothing is going for the moment.
Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) begins to control the peloton.
Attack by Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise) but nothing is being allowed to go just yet.
No break for the moment.
Unibet Rose Rockets are the next to launch a move and he gets a gap but he’s dragged back.
The startlist is absolutely stacked! Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout Van Aert, Mads Pedersen and Remco Evenepoel among a long list of super talents.
The riders have started the neutral zone. Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) clipped a wheel as they started and hit the barriers. He is back riding.
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) seems very pleased that Evenepoel has decided to debut at the Ronde this year…
Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) refuses to be included in the discussion when it comes to the biggest names of the sport…
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is, obviously, the big favourite for today. However, he is a bit concerned about the ability of Evenepoel and his unpredictability…
Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ live report of the men’s Tour of Flanders/Ronde Van Vlaanderen 2026!
It was a surprise on April Fool’s Day that the announcement of Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) wasn’t a joke and very definitely is happening! Whether you like how they did the announcement or not, it captured the attention of the cycling world!
