Cycling-Van der Poel hammers rivals to win Flanders triple crown

FILE PHOTO: Cycling - UCI World Championships 2023 - Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - August 6, 2023 Netherlands' Mathieu van der Poel in action during the men's elite road race REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/File Photo

(Reuters) - World champion Mathieu van der Poel crushed his rivals with a devastating long-range attack to claim his third Tour of Flanders on Sunday.

The Dutchman, who now has five Monument titles to his name, produced a trademark brutal acceleration in the Koppenberg cobbled ascent, 45 kilometres from the finish, and never looked back as several riders had to step off their bikes.