Pogačar and Van der Poel: 9

The two champions who dominated the cobbled classics, sharing the two Monuments. The world champion won the Tour of Flanders by authority and amazed in his debut at Paris-Roubaix, dancing on the cobbles like a veteran of the cobbles. Van der Poel, on the other hand, thrashed the competition at the E3, placed on the podium at Flanders and won his third consecutive Roubaix .

For both of them, a very small flaw : Pogacar makes a mistake on the curve at Pont-Thibault à Ennevelin , which prevents him from fighting with his rival for the victory in Roubaix; the Dutchman, on the other hand, fades in Flanders along the third passage on the Oude Kwaremont , Pogacar takes advantage of this and deservedly wins the race.

Petersen 8.5

The Dane undoubtedly had his best season on cobbles, but bad luck and very strong opponents prevented him from fighting for one of the two Monuments. The consistency of the Lidl-Trek rider is impressive : in 5 races he never left the top 5 and won the Gand-Wewelgem by a wide margin; and without that puncture on Tilloy in Sars-et-Rosières who knows how Sunday could have gone...

Lidl Trek: 7.5

Behind the VDP/Pogacar supremacy is perhaps the most consistent formation in this northern campaign: Lidl takes Gand-Wewelgem, podiums at E3, Roubaix and Flanders (Pedersen), De Panne and Gand (Milan) and a couple of quality top tens by Stuyven, who instead fell immediately at Paris-Roubaix.

Kung and Ganna: 7

Two time trialists who are now safe bets on the cobblestones, even if they have to deal with bad luck all too often. The Swiss takes home 3 prestigious top tens and a Roubaix completed, despite a puncture and a terrible fall. Ganna takes the podium of the E3, runs an attacking Flanders finished in 8th place, but shines less than expected in the Roubaix, also due to some mechanical problems in the first sections on the cobblestones.

One X: 6.5

A team made up of real calves from the north that always moves with confidence between breakaways and cobblestones. The Norwegians immediately hit the mark in the opening weekend, thanks to Waerenskjold 's thrust at Omloop and then obtained good placings scattered in the other races: 5th Blikra at De Panne, 4th Kristoff at Gand and 8th Hoelgaard at Roubaix. Perhaps the most awaited man was missing, namely Abrahamsen who, after the excellent signs of 2024, never stood out.

Van Aert: 6

Perhaps Dwars is the emblem of his career : he runs on the attack, puts on a show, but always misses the appointment with victory. He partially rises again - and therefore deserves a passing grade - between Flanders and Roubaix, where he places 4th twice (in addition to the 2nd place of Dwars).

The company: Neilson Powless

The EF rider signs the miracle of the northern spring , when at the Dwaars door Vlaanderen he goes into the breakaway with 3 riders from Team Visma: Jorgenson, Benoot and Van Aert and incredibly manages to win the race. True, the hornets' tactic was reckless, but he is very good at never being surprised and at outwitting Van Aert in the sprint .

The Talent: Matthew Brennan

British class of 2005 that we will hear a lot about in the future. The fast start is already a certainty, but the way he manages to file down on the cobbles is that of a great champion. The Team Visma rider wins the Grand Prix du Deinan (1.Pro) and holds out for over 200 km at Roubaix with the best interpreters of the cobbles in the world. In between also two champion victories at Itzulia. Predestined .