The battle for the title of “Monument King” in cycling has heated up in recent years, with two standout riders emerging as top contenders: Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel. Both riders have established themselves as elite competitors in the sport’s prestigious one-day races, known as the Monuments, which include races like the Tour of Flanders, Milan-San Remo, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. While both have unique strengths, their approaches to these races differ, making for an exciting rivalry.
Tadej Pogačar, primarily known for his Grand Tour success, has quickly proven that he’s just as dangerous in one-day classics. His versatility and ability to attack on climbs have seen him win two editions of Liège-Bastogne-Liège (2021, 2023) and the 2023 Tour of Flanders, where he outpaced the specialists. Pogačar’s strength lies in his climbing ability, tactical acumen, and raw power on long, punishing climbs. His endurance over tough terrain makes him a threat in hilly Monuments, and he’s only getting better.
Mathieu van der Poel, on the other hand, is a born classics specialist with an explosive, all-around skill set. With wins in both the Tour of Flanders (2020, 2022) and Paris-Roubaix (2023), van der Poel has shown he’s a master of the cobbles. His sprinting prowess, bike handling, and tactical aggressiveness allow him to dominate in races where power and technical skills are essential. Van der Poel thrives on unpredictable races, often launching surprise attacks that devastate his rivals.
Ultimately, both riders excel in different aspects of Monument racing. Pogačar dominates the hilly races with his climbing ability, while van der Poel rules the cobbled classics. The question of who is the true “Monument King” remains open, as both continue to build their impressive palmarès.
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