Will Van Aert surprise the giants Van der Poel and Pogacar? All of Belgium will be buzzing for the Tour of Flanders this Sunday.

It's Holy Week! Two weeks before Easter, cycling fans live the most thrilling moment of their year with the Tour of Flanders set for this Sunday, just one week before Paris-Roubaix.

This year, the excitement is even greater. Two years after his first and only (victorious) appearance in the Ronde, Pogacar is back. He’ll face off against Mathieu van der Poel, who looks to be in the form of his life and could break the race's win record with a victory this Sunday in Oudenaarde.

And then there’s Van Aert. Will Belgium's favorite finally awaken from his slump and claim his first Ronde title, despite what seems to be the toughest spring of his career? We break down the top contenders of this 109th edition—so you can place the best possible bets on GoldenVegas Sport and predict the winner.

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: April 6 at 10:00 AM.

Van der Poel, chasing the ultimate record

Though he only discovered the race in 2019 at the age of 24, the Dutchman has developed a huge appetite for the Ronde. "It’s my favourite classic. I fell in love with it from my very first participation. And it suits me best," he said.

Indeed. With three victories, the grandson of Raymond Poulidor now sits alongside legends Achiel Buysse, Fiorenzo Magni, Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw, Tom Boonen, and Fabian Cancellara—the all-time record holders. At just 30 years old, he could etch his name in the eternal cycling Hall of Fame.

And he’s in top form. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider claimed the seventh Monument of his career at Milan-San Remo last month, beating Pogacar and Ganna in a dramatic sprint on the iconic Via Roma after an epic battle.

Just a week ago, he won the E3 Saxo Bank Classic—often seen as a dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders—with a stunning 39-km solo effort. Does that mean he’s at his peak? "Not necessarily. I had good legs here last year too," he replied. Not sure his rivals are smiling at that answer. Will he take his revenge on Pogacar from two years ago?

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: April 6 at 10:00 AM.

Pogacar, the Hope for Suspense

Sitting comfortably on his couch after skipping the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Pogacar knows it won’t be easy to replicate his 2023 feat, when he dominated the Tour of Flanders on his debut.

Though he managed to beat Van der Poel last year, this time it might be trickier. Still, the Slovenian impressed again during a 213-kilometre training ride this Wednesday, tackling the Flemish hills and cobblestones of the North. He’ll also ride Paris-Roubaix for the first time next week.

Nothing is impossible for the world champion. Not even toppling the man in peak form. Yes, UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s star was dropped in Milan–Sanremo by his rival.

“He beat me fair and square in Sanremo, but the Tour of Flanders is a tougher race. In Sanremo, riders arrive fresh at the Cipressa and Poggio; here, I can use the steeper climbs to my advantage,” he said from his hotel in Waregem.

The 26-year-old already has his strategy. “I must avoid a sprint finish with him. If it happens, I’ll do my best. But I’ll definitely need a hard race to try to close the gap between us.”

Van Aert, Full of Doubts

He carries the hopes of an entire nation. At 30, everyone wonders how Van Aert hasn’t yet won the Tour of Flanders. In 2022, COVID stopped him. In 2023, he crashed badly just four days before the race.

This year, Van Aert will race—but few see him as a contender. So much so that Belgium may pin its hopes on the women’s race for a victory. Already disappointing in the early season—11th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and 75th at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne—he hit rock bottom on Wednesday’s Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Despite having two teammates with him in the final against Neilson Powless, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider lost in a sprint—his supposed specialty. “I take full responsibility. I banked everything on the sprint. I asked my teammates to control until the finish. I thought I’d win it, but I cramped, and Powless was stronger,” he admitted.

Confidence now shattered, he added, “I was too selfish in the final. I wanted that win so badly—to silence the critics, after all the bad luck last year. I acted against my nature. I’m very disappointed.”

Van Aert has one last shot to make things right. And to prove he’s a true champion.

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: April 6 at 10:00 AM

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