In the most spectacular edition of Milan-Sanremo in decades, Mathieu van der Poel did something that was not awarded many cyclists: winning Tadej Pogacar. At the finish in San Remo he referred the best rider in the world in a sprint to third place, after an unexpectedly long and compelling final. The Italian Filippo Ganna was second.
Van der Poel (30) won Milan-Sanremo before, in 2023. Even then he beat Pogacar. After five participations, he is still at zero victories in ‘La Primavera’, traditionally the first large classic of the cycling season. It was the first one -day race in a year where he appeared at the start and did not win.
This year too, Pogacar (26) had again emphatically set his sights on Milan-Sanremo. That competition is now becoming an obsession for him. He makes no secret that he wants to win all important cycling races – big rounds and day -day races – at least once in his career.
Early attack impossible
‘La Primavera’ is for Pogacar “The most difficult cycling monument to win,” said his team manager José ‘Matxin’ Fernandez last year NRC. The race is extremely long – this year 289 kilometers – and 90 percent flat. That means that an early attack, the specialty of Pogacar, is practically impossible: Milan-Sanremo is traditionally decided on the last climb, the Poggio, or in the streets of San Remo. Shaking riders such as Van der Poel, who have a stronger sprint in the legs, is practically impossible.
Van der Poel was so strong today. But next year I will be back for more
Yet that is what Pogacar tried this year. During the first hours of the race the riders drove through wind and rain, but once on the Ligurian coast the sun broke through. On the Cipressa, the penultimate climb 25 kilometers from the finish, Pogacar attacked. Only Van der Poel and the Italian time driver Filippo Ganna could follow. The leading group held up to San Remo – unique and unprecedented for this course, which is generally decided in the last fifteen minutes and decades ago, had a decisive demarrage on the Cipressa for the last time.
From the foot of the last climb, the Poggio, Pogacar launched one attack after the other. He was unable to unload Van der Poel. Ganna had to get rid of it, but thanks to a lightning -fast descent – it found in the last kilometer in connection with the two leaders.
The riders along the Ligurian coast during the spring classic Milan-Sanremo.
Photos Marco Bertorello AFP
Correct tactic
A sprint had to make the decision on Via Roma in San Remo. Van der Poel entered into two hundred meters from the finish. Ganna had to drop a hole, Pogacar followed in his wheel. They no longer added – Van der Poel was able to raise his hands in the air. “I knew this was the right tactic,” he said after the camera of Eurosport.
For Van der Poel this was the seventh victory in one of the ‘monuments’, the five most important classics of the cycling calendar. Pogacar – also seven monuments in his name so far – had to go back to his house in Monaco without a win. His team leader Mauro Gianetti said afterwards that his leader was’ beaten by Van der Poel.
Pogacars Obsession With Milan-Sanremo will have to take at least another year longer. “Van der Poel was so strong today,” he said afterwards. “I have to settle for place three. But next year I will be back for more.”