The race opened up after 25 kilometers. An early breakaway with 13 riders, including Luca Van Boven, Dries De Pooter, Frederik Frison and Victor Vercouillie, took the lead.
On the Molenberg, 16 riders separated from the peloton. This included top favorites Pogacar, Van der Poel, Van Aert, Evenepoel and Pedersen. After 200 kilometers of racing, both groups merged.
During the second climb of the Oude Kwaremont, Pogacar broke up the large leading group. Only Van der Poel and Evenepoel could keep the wheel of the world champion. Van Aert had to leave a gap, just like Pedersen. Evenepoel had to leave the front on the Paterberg, but continued to chase the two leaders while Van Aert found support from Pedersen. Evenepoel saw the duo becoming smaller and smaller.
Pogacar pressed the accelerator all the way at the foot of the last Oude Kwaremont. Van der Poel immediately had to leave a gap. Pogacar also climbed the Paterberg, the last slope of the day, and was 15 seconds ahead of Van der Poel. Evenepoel was put back 55 seconds, Van Aert had distanced himself from Pedersen in his hunt for fourth place. These positions did not change in the last 13 kilometers. Tadej Pogacar took his third victory in the Tour of Flanders, making him a co-record holder.
