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 unbelievable three-rider battle from the Cipressa to the Poggio and into the Via 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 staff when Michele Dancelli gained in 1970 after which Eddy Merckx in 1971 and 1972. Van der Poel has now gained seven Monument Classics, equalling his largest 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 to beat him.
“I feel that is considered one of my greatest moments of kind ever,” he mentioned within the post-race press convention after a while to let his feelings and success sink in.
“I educated 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’d be at my greatest.
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“It was fairly emotional after the end as a result of the race was so arduous. It’s tough to imagine I gained one other Monument. It retains going for me and for the staff. But it isn’t one thing we must always take as a right.
“Yet one other 12 months with one other Monument win is one thing to be happy with. To win 3 times in a row might by no means occur once more. It’s one thing to cherish.”
Van der Poel defined to Cyclingnews earlier than Milan-San Remo how his earlier huge main Classics victories have given him the interior peace and self-confidence wanted to race with readability and conviction, even towards Pogačar.
“Tadej is everyone’s rival, so in the event you can beat him, you are near victory,” van der Poel advised.
“He’s not solely among the best Classics riders but in addition among the best Grand Tour riders. He’s a generational expertise for positive. I’m glad to race towards him and in the event you beat him, it is particular.
“I’m very glad and proud to win Milan-San Remo for a second time. Every Monument is particular however this one is additional particular for the best way race developed.”
Van der Poel was capable of 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 damage 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 instances to dry me and so I attempted to interrupt him a bit too and counter-attack however he responded. Pogačar isn’t gradual and Ganna is quick too. In races like Milan-San Remo, it isn’t about who’s the quickest however who’s the strongest.”
“I feel I shocked him by launching my dash with 300 metres to go. People suppose I favor a brief dash as a result of it labored a few instances, so no person anticipated me to launch from a great distance out. You want the legs to do this but it surely was an necessary consider my victory.”