Why Pogačar and Van Aert's teams aren't sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel's near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic

Despite Mathieu van der Poel's narrow defeat at E3 Saxo Classic, where he was outmaneuvered by Wout van Aert in a two-up sprint, rival teams UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike are reportedly not sensing any weakness. Both camps, representing Tadej Pogačar and Van Aert respectively, remain acutely aware of the Dutchman's formidable capabilities, particularly with the Tour of Flanders looming just over a week away.

This cautious stance is entirely rational. Van der Poel's performance at E3, despite the second-place finish, was a masterclass in aggressive racing, showcasing his trademark power and tactical audacity. His history of dominating the cobbled classics, including multiple Flanders victories, means that any perceived "weakness" from a single race is likely a mirage. The peloton understands that Van der Poel’s form is clearly there, and his rivals are simply not affording him the luxury of an off-day narrative.

Indeed, the only thing more predictable than Van der Poel's explosive attacks is the cycling world's tendency to overreact to a single result. He's still the man to beat.