The 2025 males’s Milan-San Remo was a Classicissima for the ages, for the file books and particularly for Mathieu van der Poel.
The Dutchman defeated Filippo Ganna and Tadej Pogačar after an unimaginable three-rider battle from the Cipressa to the Poggio and into the By way of Roma end.
Van der Poel is the primary rider in 17 years to win a second Milan-San Remo as Alpecin-Deceuninck accomplished three-peat after van der Poel’s 2023 victory and Jasper Philispen’s dash win in 2024.
The final hattrick was by the Molteni workforce when Michele Dancelli received in 1970 after which Eddy Merckx in 1971 and 1972. Van der Poel has now received seven Monument Classics, equalling his greatest Classics rival Pogačar however Merckx stays the Cannibal with 19.
Pogačar was aggressive and spectacular as ever as he tried to win Milan-San Remo, setting a brand new file time of 9:00 for the Cipressa climb. Van der Poel admitted he wanted to be at his best possible to beat him.
“I believe that is one in every of my finest moments of type ever,” he mentioned within the post-race press convention after a while to let his feelings and success sink in.
“I skilled greater than ever this winter and realised I can handle the coaching load. I felt actually good in Tirreno-Adriatico however knew that with every week of relaxation, I would be at my finest.
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“It was fairly emotional after the end as a result of the race was so arduous. It is tough to imagine I received one other Monument. It retains going for me and for the workforce. However it’s not one thing we must always take with no consideration.
“One more 12 months with one other Monument win is one thing to be pleased with. To win thrice in a row could by no means occur once more. It is one thing to cherish.”
Van der Poel defined to Cyclingnews earlier than Milan-San Remo how his earlier massive main Classics victories have given him the inside peace and self-confidence wanted to race with readability and conviction, even in opposition to Pogačar.
“Tadej is everyone’s rival, so when you can beat him, you are near victory,” van der Poel prompt.
“He is not solely among the best Classics riders but in addition among the best Grand Tour riders. He is a generational expertise for certain. I am completely satisfied to race in opposition to him and when you beat him, it is particular.
“I am very completely satisfied and proud to win Milan-San Remo for a second time. Each Monument is particular however this one is additional particular for the best way race developed.”
Van der Poel was in a position to go along with Pogačar when he attacked on the Cipressa and once more on the Poggio. He even attacked him close to the summit of the enduring climb, to attempt to harm and take a look at Pogačar.
“I actually tried to go solo since you by no means know in a dash like this after a tough race,” he defined.
“He went all out a few occasions to dry me and so I attempted to interrupt him a bit too and counter-attack however he responded. Pogačar isn’t sluggish and Ganna is quick too. In races like Milan-San Remo, it is not about who’s the quickest however who’s the strongest.”
“I believe I shocked him by launching my dash with 300 metres to go. Individuals assume I desire a brief dash as a result of it labored a few occasions, so no one anticipated me to launch from a great distance out. You want the legs to do this but it surely was an essential think about my victory.”
