Since the 2022 season, just six cyclists have claimed victory in a Monument, World Championship, or Olympic Games event. This brings the total to 20 races, with 17 of them won by either Tadej Pogacar or Mathieu van der Poel.
Only three instances have occurred that deviate from this ‘rule’: Matej Mohoric’s victory at the 2022 Milano-Sanremo, Dylan van Baarle’s triumph in the 2022 Paris-Roubaix, and Jasper Philipsen’s win at the 2024 Milano-Sanremo.
Surprisingly, just three cyclists have claimed victory in every other Monument, World Championship, and Olympic Games event—the premier one-day races in professional cycling. Mathieu van der Poel, recently victorious in his second Milano-Sanremo, has triumphed in the Tour of Flanders twice during these years, captured the last two editions of Paris-Roubaix, and secured victory at the Glasgow World Championships.
Remco Evenepoel also claimed victory in the World Championships Road Race in 2022 with an impressive solo effort; this summer, he became the Olympic Champion in Paris and has triumphed in Liège-Bastogne-Liège in both years he has competed in it—2023 and 2024.
Finally, Tadej Pogacar, who is accumulating these types of victories more often than most cyclists achieve in average wins, has already established a palmarès that includes: World Championships Zurich 2024, a title in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a Tour of Flanders victory, and four Il Lombardia editions (*only from 2021 onward).
Although various strategies are now more effectively working in professional cycling, as demonstrated by Pogacar’s Cipressa move this weekend that made the climb determine the race for the first time in nearly three decades, we can expect the same competitors to vie for the upcoming Monuments. While athletes like Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen are expected to perform well, Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar seem to be the top favorites for the Tour of Flanders. Tadej Pogacar will once again be the primary favorite for Liège, while at Paris-Roubaix, van der Poel and Philipsen have secured first and second place in the last two editions.
While it is certainly possible that a new champion may emerge at Il Lombardia, the current World Champion has already claimed victory in the last four editions, and if he lines up again, it will be challenging for anyone to join this elite group of cyclists.
A Dominant Era in Professional Cycling
The dominance of Pogacar, van der Poel, and Evenepoel in one-day classics is nothing short of extraordinary. Their ability to consistently outperform the competition in cycling’s most grueling and prestigious one-day races speaks volumes about their talent, endurance, and tactical intelligence. This trend is shaping the modern era of professional cycling, with these three riders setting the bar for what it means to be a Monument-winning rider.
What makes this statistic even more remarkable is that these races are incredibly unpredictable. Unlike Grand Tours, where stage-racing tactics and team dynamics play a larger role, one-day races are often won with aggressive riding, perfect timing, and sheer resilience. Yet, somehow, Pogacar, van der Poel, and Evenepoel have found a way to consistently impose their dominance on these races.
The Battle for the Spring Classics
As we head into the heart of the cycling season, all eyes are on the upcoming Spring Classics. The Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège are on the horizon, and the expectations are clear: Pogacar and van der Poel will be the riders to beat.
Mathieu van der Poel has already made his mark on Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, using his power and technical skills to outclass his rivals. Meanwhile, Pogacar has proven that he can challenge and win against the very best in races traditionally suited for classics specialists. His ability to perform on multiple terrains and his relentless attacking style make him one of the most dangerous riders in any one-day race.
Remco Evenepoel, on the other hand, thrives in races that demand long solo efforts. His victories in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the World Championships prove that if he gets the right conditions, he can demolish the competition. However, he is still searching for a way to break into races like the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix, where positioning and sprinting ability often determine the winner.
Challengers Looking to Break the Dominance
Of course, the question remains: can anyone stop this trio from continuing their streak of dominance? While riders like Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen are certainly capable of winning these races, their track records in Monuments do not match those of Pogacar, van der Poel, and Evenepoel.
Van Aert, despite his immense talent, has struggled to convert his potential into victories in the biggest one-day races. His near-misses in races like Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix highlight just how difficult it is to win these events when up against generational talents like van der Poel and Pogacar.
Mads Pedersen, a former world champion, has shown promise in the classics, but he still lacks the kind of dominance needed to break through in the biggest Monuments. That being said, his sprinting ability and endurance make him a dangerous outsider for races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
What Lies Ahead?
With the current trend, it’s reasonable to expect that the upcoming Monuments will once again be dominated by this elite trio. Pogacar will be the overwhelming favorite for Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia, given his past performances. Van der Poel will likely target Paris-Roubaix and Flanders, while Evenepoel may aim for another World Championship title or a breakthrough in the cobbled classics.
However, as history has shown, cycling is unpredictable. The 2022 Paris-Roubaix and Milano-Sanremo victories by van Baarle and Mohoric, along with Philipsen’s win in Sanremo this year, prove that outsiders can still triumph if they play their cards right.
One thing is certain: cycling fans are in for another thrilling season, and whether it’s Pogacar, van der Poel, Evenepoel, or a new name that emerges, the battle for Monument supremacy will be one to watch.
