Jonathan Milan was too robust for his dash rivals on stage 2 at Tirreno-Adiatico however was nonetheless too modest to say he’s the very best sprinter on this planet.
The 24-year-old Italian has already received 5 races, together with the opening staff time on the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, however is an actual gentleman sprinter; massively highly effective when he stomps on the pedals however softly spoken and naturally pleased after the sprinting adrenaline eases.
Milan received two sprints on the UAE Tour, together with beating Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) on stage 4. He arguably has the very best lead out prepare within the WorldTour and has been designated as Lidl-Trek’s Tour de France sprinter forward of Mads Pedersen, with the objective of profitable the opening stage in Lille.
“I do not take into account myself the very best sprinter on this planet,” Milan stated when requested by Cyclingnews after his victory.
“There are quite a lot of good sprinters within the peloton in the mean time. Merlier is the primary identify I consider however there’s additionally Dylan Groenwegen, Olav Kooij, Jasper Philipsen and plenty of others.”
Milan will certainly conflict with Merlier in Lille on the opening stage of the Tour de France. It is anticipated to be probably the most prestigious dash of the season, with the primary yellow jersey an additional reward.
Yet Milan doesn’t must gas a rivalry with Merlier or anybody else to be motivated. There is not any want for dissing or a boxing type face-off.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, critiques and knowledgeable shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“I’m at all times motivated,” Milan stated together with his well-educated tone and boyish smile.
“I did see Tim’s sprints at Paris-Nice and congrats to him, he is robust.”
Milan was a pissed off ninth within the Follonica dash in 2024 and was eager to make amends after struggling within the current Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne dash that additionally had a late nook.
He is probably not the very best at combating for place and the wheels in sprints, however his teammates rode completely within the final kilometre after which he and Consonni dived into the final nook earlier than opening up his enormous energy dash.
“I used to be scared we had been going too quick into the nook nevertheless it all labored out and went as we anticipated,” Milan defined.
“All the staff labored exhausting and the leadout went completely. It was elementary for me to take the final nook close to the entrance. That then meant I might produce my absolute best dash.
“Sometimes you win, generally you lose or the dash does not work out. The necessary factor is to study and enhance every time. We needed a win after final yr and we’re tremendous pleased. This is a staff win and I dedicate it to my teammates. They’re like my second household and so this win is for them.”
Milan’s lead out prepare consists of Ed Theuns, Jasper Stuyven and Consonni, who was additionally a part of the Italian staff pursuit squad together with Filippo Ganna and Francesco Lamon.
Like Ganna, Milan has put apart his observe ambitions till the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, to totally give attention to street racing and particularly on sprinting. Track periods have been changed by extra hours within the saddle and on climbs.
“I’ve labored exhausting on enhancing my climbing capacity, to go over the medium size climbs with out killing myself, in order that I can then dash. It’s necessary to at all times enhance,” he revealed.
“I had an excellent winter and I feel I’ve improved in each method. I’m extra assured and relaxed and bodily stronger too. The entire staff has improved and we’re displaying with our outcomes.”
The exhausting work might imply Milan survives the gradual climb to Colfiorito on Wednesday’s stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico and so contest the anticipated decreased dash end towards the likes of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep), Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech) and Marc Hirschi (Tudor).
It may be a take a look at for the quickly approaching Milan-San Remo, the place Milan will in all probability be Lidl-Trek’s dash choice alongside Mads Pedersen.
“We’ve received a powerful staff and we’ll be motivated to get a end result, additionally as a result of we have got Mads,” Milan stated, together with his intrinsic modest however underlying ambitions.
“Milan-San Remo is about saving your power and utilizing your expertise. The staff will determine the ultimate line-up and the ways for Milan-San Remo however I at all times come out of Tirreno-Adriatico feeling good, so I’m optimistic.”