'They can’t do that!' - Tadej Pogacar attacked while taking a wee in Tour of Flanders 'bad etiquette' storm
Updated 06/04/2025 at 15:42 GMT+1
Tadej Pogacar stopped for a quick wee at the Tour of Flanders, but some of his rivals didn’t wait up. What happened next triggered glares and debate around cycling etiquette: do you respect the rainbow jersey, even mid-pee? Ultimately, nothing could stop Pogacar as he claimed a stunning second victory at the cobbled Monument after cracking defending champion Mathieu van der Poel.
'Very bad etiquette' - Pogacar targeted mid-wee at Tour of Flanders
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tadej Pogacar is used to his rivals trying to stop him – just not when he stops to take a wee.
The world champion (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) pulled over for a comfort break during a quiet spell early in the Tour of Flanders, with one his team-mates riding up to the front to let the peloton know. But not everyone played nice.
Suddenly, the pace ramped up as Arkea-B&B Hotels, backed by a few other dissenters, decided to attack off the front.
"The world champion's domestique just came up to the front to explain that Pogacar was about to stop for a comfort break," commentator Rob Hatch explained on TNT Sports.
"Everybody else started to do the same until, very bad etiquette, Arkea and a couple of other teams en masse [attacked]... that looked an organised move.
"It's pretty hard to miss Tadej Pogacar in the brilliant white and rainbows."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
UAE quickly chased it down and the Slovenian was soon restored to the bunch, but only after a few icy stares at the opportunists.
"Not even words," said Robbie McEwen. "The looks say it all."
The incident sparked a familiar debate: does the rainbow jersey come with an unwritten code of respect?
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"There are two sides to this," added Adam Blythe. "It’s not a stage race, so technically there’s no leader.
"Yes, he’s the world champion. But is there a rule, or is it just a gentleman’s agreement [to stop]? I wouldn’t have attacked…"
It didn't change the outcome. Pogacar produced a series of brutal surges to crack defending champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) before staying away to claim a second Flanders crown.
Asked about the Arkea attack at the finish, Pogacar said: "I didn't even know about that. I stopped for a pee, it was hard to come back, but it's racing. I guess it's not a problem."
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