Pogacar advances his strategy for Flanders and talks about the worst side of social media

At the press conference prior to the Tour de Flanders 2025, Tadej Pogacar anticipated what the team's general tactic will be to try to overcome his great rival Mathieu van der Poel. Additionally, the Slovenian did not rule out Wout van Aert from the fight for victory while criticizing the backlash that the Belgian has faced on social media after the Dwars door Vlaanderen fiasco.

Making the race as tough as possible, Pogacar's tactic to beat Van der Poel in Flandes

Interesting statements were made by Tadej Pogacar at the press conference before the Tour de Flandes 2025, where he will seek revenge after his defeat in Milan-San Remo, although, in reality, according to his own words, he does not see it that way "Revenge for San Remo in De Ronde? I don't know why I should be upset or seek revenge when no one has done anything wrong to me. There is nothing to avenge," Pogacar stated, showing sportsmanship, respect, and the good relationship he has always demonstrated with Mathieu van der Poel.

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Looking ahead to the Tour de Flandes, Tadej Pogacar is clear about the tactic to defeat Mathieu van der Poel on his own turf "I will try to make the race as tough as possible. That will make him tired in the final part and the difference in a possible sprint will be smaller. Mathieu obviously sprints better. He is probably better on the cobbles, better in the technical sections. I will try to open a gap at some point in the race,". A statement that suggests that, in light of what happened in San Remo, Tadej Pogacar is not so sure that he can drop Van der Poel as he was able to do two years ago when he won this race.

The Slovenian also did not rule out other scenarios, pointing out that there are many teams that will not settle for second place and will surely plan their tactics during the race.

Meanwhile in northern France, Tadej Pogacar did today a Roubaix recon and during it, he had set a KOM on Mons-en-Pavele and on Auchy-lez-Orchies. Plus a 2nd best time on Carrefour de l'Arbre. It won't be easy for Mathieu. Not easy at all...pic.twitter.com/0BewkttRVN

— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) April 2, 2025

Of course, there were questions at the press conference regarding his participation in the Paris-Roubaix and the intense reconnaissance of the final part he did on the past Wednesday. A day that, according to his own words, was a great day where he felt very comfortable and, in reference to the Hell of the North, he is totally clear "Why Paris-Roubaix? I haven't done it yet and it is one of the best races in the world," as simple as that.

Tadej Pogacar did not hold back when talking about the Dwars door Vlaanderen race, which he could not watch live as it took place while he was training on the cobbles of Roubaix. However, he was very understanding of the situation Tadej Pogacar faced while criticizing the social media that have practically lynched the Belgian cyclist: "Social media is the cancer of our society. You can be on social media all day and there are a lot of positive things but the negative things are the ones that end up coming out and can ruin your day. It's not worth following them, it's easier not to worry about those things,".

In any case, he was understanding of the performance of the Visma-Lease a Bike team in that race "These are things that happen in races. Visma made a mistake, they got confident, there is nothing wrong with that. Neilson was very strong in the final sprint." He also empathized with Wout van Aert's situation "The team depends on Wout every time he participates in a race. He goes to win and finishing second after a situation of three against one is crap. But these are things that happen in races. He will recover, he will arrive at the next race without thinking about it and will give his best again. Whether he does well or not, it's not the end of the world, they are just bike races."