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Pogačar Wins Third Tour of Flanders as Prosecutors Probe Rail-Crossing Breach

Belgian prosecutors are probing a red‑light rail crossing with potential fines and short driving bans.

If Tadej Pogacar wins Paris-Roubaix next weekend, he will join an elite band as just the fourth man to win all five Monuments
A 13-man break, including Mongolian Sainbayaryn Jambaljamts (C), escaped in the first 40km and built up a maximum lead of about five-and-a-half minutes
Tadej Pogacar now has 12 Monument victories, putting him clear in second in the all-time list behind only the great Eddy Merckx with 19
Tadej Pogacar (R) and Mathieu Van der Poel (L) rode together for the better part of 40km, before the Slovenian put in his race-winning move

Overview

  • Pogačar, who triumphed Sunday, sealed the race by attacking on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont about 18 kilometers from the finish and rode clear of runner‑up Mathieu van der Poel.
  • The victory lifts him to 12 Monument wins, second all‑time behind Eddy Merckx’s 19, and keeps a perfect three‑for‑three start to his season as he turns to Paris‑Roubaix next weekend.
  • A level crossing late in the race closed as leaders approached, about 20 riders went through red lights while most of the peloton stopped, and officials told the front group to slow so the field could regroup.
  • Officials confirmed Monday that the East Flanders prosecutor is identifying the riders who crossed, and local reports say penalties could include fines and brief driving suspensions under traffic law.
  • Remco Evenepoel took third on his Flanders debut ahead of Wout van Aert, and past precedent such as Paris‑Roubaix 2006 shows riders have been disqualified for ignoring closed railway crossings.