Mateo Jorgenson (Vimaris-a-Bike) was the last rider dropped by Mathieu van der Pol. Jorgenson, a Dutchman, attacked in the "playground" Koppenberg and rode solo to his third Tour de Flanders victory.

The young American was also bold in his pursuit and finished the 600m climb a few seconds, two bike lengths behind Van der Pol, but the gap between the two would only widen over the next 44km of racing.

Jorgenson did his best to impress his lead, but had no answer as Van der Pol attacked the remaining cobbled climb and eventually won by 1:02, securing a record-breaking victory.

"It was the hardest race I've ever done.

"I did everything I could to win the race. In Koppenberg I knew I had to stay with Mathieu [van der Pol]. But I was just five or so seconds short. In the end, I just lacked a little bit of talent."

Jorgenson returned home in 31st place, cold, wet, and defeated. He was swallowed up by several groups between the top of the Koppenberg and the finish in the pouring rain and was spit out the back, leaving him 3:38 behind Van der Pol.

Wisma started the day with a heavily reshuffled lineup, with big stars Wout Van Aert and Christophe Laporte both missing due to injury and illness issues in recent weeks. Nevertheless, they took on Van der Pol and Alpecin de Seuninck throughout the 270 km route, setting the midfield race on fire.

With 100 km to go, Wisma put Tiesj Benoot and Dylan Van Baarle in front, while Jorgenson stayed in the back while Van der Pol decided how to fight. But, as has become the norm in big races, the Dutch rider kept his cool and waited for his team to rally.

Thanks to the great efforts of Axel Laurance, Gianni Vermersch, and Seelen Krav Andersen, the Alpecin fire was extinguished without Van der Pol's fitness, and the pre-race decision to replace sprinter Yasper Philipsen with another domestique The decision was justified.

"First I tried to get in front of him [Van der Pol], but it didn't work," Jorgenson admitted. He was also really smart, waited for the team and they were able to close the gap on Dylan and Tiesj."

With the threat at the front gone and only Mads Pedersen (Ridder Trek) offering to break away from the front with one of Van der Pol's teammates, the world champion was able to comfortably head into the most advantageous part of the race.

"From there, we were equals until we entered his playground, the Koppenberg," Jorgenson said, paying tribute to Van der Pol's tactics and execution.

"It was clear that he [Van der Pol] was the best rider today. We had a plan to use our numbers, but it didn't work out as planned." We had a plan to use more people, but it didn't work out as planned."

"In the end, we still put up a really good fight and I'm proud of the way we used the team. Alpecin also ran a clean and perfect race.

Jorgenson entered the race in the leadership role that Van Aert had held until he broke his collarbone, sternum, and ribs in the Doire de Flanderen. Jorgenson, in only his second appearance in De Ronde, was not too discouraged by the visma lees-a-bike.

"Matteo [Jorgenson] hasn't raced 270 km many times. Anyway, it was a learning day for him," said sport director Grischa Niermann.

"Matteo proved very strong in the Koppenberg and almost took the steering of Van der Pol. "

Belgian Benoot, who was caught in the mix of podium contenders with 40km to go, was the top finisher for Visma. However, due to some equipment mishaps, he could only manage 15th place, the team's worst top finish since 2017.

"The legs were feeling pretty good. Unfortunately, we had some mechanical bad luck," Benoot said on the team's website.

"At Oude Kwaremont, I made a mistake that hit my rear derailleur. In the finale I had a flat tire. Otherwise I could have fought for the podium, but that's the way it goes."

Another year has passed without Vimalies a Bike taking back the Tour de Flanders. Their last win was in 1997, when they were still called Rabobank, by Rolf Sørensen. Next year they hope to get Van-Aart, but the historic victory of his great rival Van der Pol has made him one of the legends of Flanders.

"We fell fighting. We did not come here for this result, but we leave the battlefield with our heads held high anyway."

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