Here's a bold statement: the cycling world is witnessing a tactical standoff that could redefine how races are won. But here's where it gets controversial... Classics specialist Tiesj Benoot has ignited a debate by urging riders to stop pacing at the front when superstars Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel are in the mix. Why? Because, according to Benoot, doing so is essentially racing for second place—a strategy he believes is counterproductive.
Benoot, a seasoned one-day racer with 31 Monument starts under his belt, has observed this dynamic firsthand in races like the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Il Lombardia, where Pogačar and Van der Poel have dominated in recent years. And this is the part most people miss... While their presence makes races like the Tour of Flanders brutally challenging, Benoot argues that tactics are being overshadowed by the sheer dominance of these two riders. He points out that relying on them to dictate the pace is a losing strategy, especially since they don't compete in every race.
After transitioning from Visma-Lease a Bike to the high-profile French team Decathlon, Benoot is poised to lead the charge against Pogačar and Van der Poel this spring. His solution? A collective refusal to pace at the front when they're present. "We all have to stop riding at the front when Van der Poel and Pogačar are there," he insists. "It doesn’t make sense to me. You’re just helping them win."
This season, Benoot plans to implement his own tactics between the E3 Saxo Classic and Liège, even skipping Strade Bianche—where he secured his biggest career win—to focus on altitude training. After years as a superdomestique and a winless streak since Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in 2023, he’s hungry for personal glory with his new team. "I want to reach my peak, but I also want to win—and if I do, it’ll be a major victory," he says.
Here’s the controversial question... Is Benoot’s call for a tactical shift a game-changer, or is it an unrealistic expectation in a sport where teamwork and pacing are fundamental? Could this approach level the playing field, or will Pogačar and Van der Poel continue to dominate regardless? Let’s spark a discussion—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
