You could have scripted the outcome of this past weekend’s racing, but that didn’t make it any less entertaining to watch. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) both stormed to victory in the Tour of Flanders. Taking their preferred approach when it comes to punishing the chasing peloton, the duo both won their races solo, dropping all their rivals at the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
1. Filip Maciejuk apologises after Tour of Flanders disqualification
The main talking points from the Tour of Flanders start with Filip Maciejuk’s (Bahrain Victorious) disqualification. In his attempt to move up by the side of the peloton, the 23-year-old ran out of tarmac and hit a ditch in the grass. What followed was a terrible case of cycling dominoes.
Most of the peloton hit the ground with Maciejuk staying upright. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) broke his collarbone in four places as Ben Turner (INEOS Grenadiers) fractured his left arm. Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies) was forced to retire from his final Flanders. Maciejuk was soon disqualified from the race and he posted an apology on Twitter.
The full thread reads: ‘I’m really sorry for my mistake and causing the crash today. I hope all those involved are in good health and safe. This should not happen and was a big error in my judgement. I had no intention of causing this. All I can do now is apologise for my mistake and learn from this in the future. Sorry again to the peloton, my teammates and the fans.’
2. Pogačar and Kopecky victorious
Gruberimages
As weary legs tackled their first ascent of the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg while Flandrien flags fell onto the cobbles, the big three in the men’s peloton came together to form one determined chasing group. Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma) took off and absorbed honorary members along the way, with van Aert eventually dropped on the Kruisberg/Hotond climb.
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It was on the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont that Van der Poel slipped from Pogačar’s wheel. The Slovenian powered away to catch and pass lone leader Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo), staying ahead until the finish.
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In the women’s Tour of Flanders, the majority of riders on the Koppenberg were forced to dismount on the slippery slopes. The SD Worx superwomen trio of Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Marlen Reusser took off with Silvia Persico (UAE) for company. In a strong refusal to be reeled in, Kopecky and Persico put the hammer down on the Kruisberg/Hotond climb.
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It was with 18km of the day remaining on the Oude Kwaremont that Kopecky dropped her breakaway companion, finishing solo to take her second consecutiveedition of the Tour of Flanders.
3. Women’s Tour cancelled for 2023
Elisa Longo Borghini, Kasia Niewiadoma and Grace Brown battling it out at The Women’s Tour 2022. Zac Williams/SWPix
Previous editions of Pro Log covered the financial situation impacting the Women’s Tour, including the crowdfund launched in March. Organisers Sweetspot released a statement last week that the Women’s Tour, which was scheduled to take place from 7th to 11th June 2023, would not run this year due to increased running costs – which were approximately 20 percent higher than the previous edition – and reduced commercial support.
All donations to the GoFundMe will apparently be refunded. It’s another blow to the racing scene in Britain after the cancellation of the Tour Series. The Women’s Tour will hopefully return in 2024 for its 10th anniversary, with its Grand Départ scheduled for Wales.
4. Audrey Cordon-Ragot quits ZAAF Cycling Team
Pro Log has also followed the ongoing lack of pay for riders ZAAF Cycling Team riders. French road race and time trial national champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot, who joined the squad following the collapse of B&B Hotels last December, had not been paid since the beginning of 2023. She has now left ZAAF and can only sign for a new team from 1st June.
The Paris-Roubaix Femmes and Hommes races take place this weekend. Prepare for cobbled chaos with our in-depth race guide and visit our Paris-Roubaix hub for more.
As next Monday is a bank holiday in the UK, enjoy and see you when I next see you!
Main image: Jan de Meuleneir/Pool via Getty Images
Tags: ClassicsTour of FlandersWomen’s Tour
