Regardless of now not successful a level at Tirreno-Adriatico final week, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) will input the primary Monument of the season at Milan-San Remo on Saturday with a cast week of difficult racing in Italy below his belt.
Van der Poel believes he has sharpened the gear greater than sufficient in his 2d race of the season, after debuting in 2025 with a win at Ename Samyn Vintage, scoring a 3rd position and 2d position end on levels 4 and 5.
The Dutchman is eyeing a 2d identify at L. a. Classicisima so as to add to his 2023 victory, and for Alpecin-Deceuninck’s 3rd Milan-San Remo win in a row, after serving to deliver again assaults at the By the use of Roma for eventual winner Jasper Philipsen ultimately season’s race.
“Of course, I would have liked to win a stage. But I still feel healthy and that would have been a victory in this weather anyway. I had a few good days last week. This is what I needed towards the classics,” Van der Poel advised Nieuwsblad and newshounds prior to level 7, after lights up the racing a number of occasions on the Race of the Two Seas.
“The only pity is that I couldn’t win a stage. That wouldn’t have changed much for Milan-San Remo, but I would have liked to win anyway.
“I’ve additionally discovered the odds I used to be searching for. This used to be merely an excellent week. And I repeat: I’ve stayed wholesome. In an effort to the Classics, that used to be most likely crucial factor.”
Van der Poel has headed home from Italy to Belgium for the week ahead of the race, opting not to recon the Poggio as he has in previous years. With the work done at Tirreno, he’s trying not to overdo it before the near-300km and likely six-and-a-half-hour test in the saddle that awaits him.
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“Each and every monument is vital to me. I do know what I nonetheless have to do that week to be excellent on Saturday,” mentioned Van der Poel.
“Leisure however on the similar time give the frame some stimulation. Sure, I will be able to go back to Belgium. I will be able to almost definitely get my gravel motorbike out a couple of occasions. Will I discover the Poggio this week? No, now not this time. I feel I’ve noticed sufficient of the Poggio in recent times.”
Milan-San Remo was Van der Poel’s first race of the season in 2024, with his 2025 build-up closer resembling how he approached the Italian Monument when he won it two years ago, albeit with an appearance at Strade Bianche instead of Le Samyn.
Defending champion Philipsen will, of course, be one of the favourites for the race alongside the former world champion, however, Van der Poel assured that their tactics will be the same.
“You must now not conclude from that that I’m the transparent chief this time. We began with the similar thought as final yr and that labored,” he mentioned.
“So much depends upon how we really feel. Ultimate yr we proved that we will be able to transfer in no time, even in a busy ultimate. The elements stipulations may also decide so much. If we now have a headwind at the Cipressa, then I do not believe the general will wreck open early.”
Van der Poel has also been keeping a close eye on the racing and his rivals, singling out a rider he raced against at Tirreno-Adriatico, one who was on form at Paris-Nice and another who is the current odds on favourite to win on Saturday as key rivals.
“I didn’t see many surprises. Saturday will probably be between the established names once more,” said Van der Poel. “[Filippo] Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) has confirmed as soon as once more that he’ll be probably the most best favourites, in Paris-Great I noticed that [Mads] Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) is in superb form. After which in fact there’s [Tadej] Pogacar (UAE Staff Emirates-XRG), who’s recently at house.”
Milan-San Remo is famously referred to as the perfect Monument to complete however the toughest to win, proven best possible in the truth that no rider has gained it in back-to-back years since Erik Zabel in 2001, however Van der Poel is assured that he is nearing the form to take victory once more.
