Pogacar faces fine for running red light in Flanders win
Tadej Pogacar wins a record-equalling third Tour of Flanders, but could face action after he is one of up to 20 riders who run a red light at a railway crossing.
His victory means Tadej Pogacar moves clear of Roger de Vlaeminck, who won 11 between 1970-79, in total Monument wins [Getty Images] Defending champion Tadej Pogacar won a record-equalling third Tour of Flanders, but could face action after he was one of up to 20 riders who ran a red light at a railway crossing. The East Flanders public prosecutor told BBC Sport it was investigating the incident which happened with more than 200km (124 miles) left in the race. The peloton was told to stop at a level crossing as the lights turned to red, but a group at the front - including Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel - slipped across the tracks in pursuit of the early leaders.
Slovenian Pogacar said they had not been not given enough warning to slow down. "Suddenly three guys jump on the middle of the road and start waving to stop," he said. "How can you stop in one second?
I think they could prevent this by stopping us before, no? Not 10 metres before the crossing. "I was thinking, maybe it's like some protesters or something crazy is going on.
" According to Belgian media, the riders could reportedly face fines ranging from 320 euros (ยฃ280) to 4,000 euros (ยฃ3,500) and driving bans of eight days. Pogacar, 27, has now won both Monument races this season, having triumphed at Milan-San Remo in March. Sunday's victory draws Pogacar level with Mathieu Van der Poel and six other cyclists on three wins at the Belgian event, having also won in 2023.