Despite the incontrovertible fact that he didn’t win the scene in Tirreno-Adriatico last week, Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-DECUNINCK) will enter the first monument of the season in Milan-San Remo with the Sable Week of Difficult Race in Italy on Saturday.
Van der Poel believes that he has tightened tools greater than sufficient in his second race of the season, after debuting in 2025 with victory at Ename Samyn Classic, winning third place and second place at stages 4 and 5.
The Dutchman looks at the second title at La Classicima so as to add to his victory in 2023, and for the third winning Alpecin-Deceuninck Remo from Milanu-San Remo in a row, after he helped restore attacks on Via Roma for the final winner Jasper Philipsen during the race last season.
“Of course, I would like to win the stage. But I still feel healthy II so it would be a victory in this weather. I had a few good days last week. I needed this for the classics, “said Van der Poel And reporters before stage 7, after several racing lighting in the Two Sea race.
“The only pity is that I couldn’t win the scene. Not much would change for Milan-San Remo, but I would like to win.
“I also found interest I was looking for. It was only a excellent week. And I repeat: I remained healthy. With the classics, this is perhaps the most vital. “
Van der Poel went home from Italy to Belgium a week before the race, deciding to reconcile Poggio, as in previous years. Thanks to working in Tirreno, he tries not to overdo it before almost 300 km and probably six and a half hours in the saddle test that awaits him.
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“Every monument is essential to me. I know what I still must do that week to be good on Saturday, “said Van der Poel.
“Rest, but at the same time give your body stimulation. Yes, I will return to Belgium. I will probably pull the gravel bike several times. Will I examine Poggio this week? No, not this time. I think that lately I have seen enough Poggio. “
Milan-San Remo was the first race of the Van der Pole season in 2024, and his construction 2025 reminded him how he approached the Italian monument when he won it two years ago, although with the appearance of Strade Bianche instead of Le Samyn.
By defending Master Philipsen, of course, will be one of the favorite race with the former world champion, but Van der Poel assured that their tactics would be the same.
“You mustn’t conclude that this time I am a transparent leader. We began with the same idea as last yr and it worked, “he said.
“Rather a lot will depend upon how we feel. Last yr, we proved that we are able to change in a short time, even in a feverish finale. Weather conditions may also determine lots. If we now have a wind on Cipress, I don’t think the final will open early. “
Van der Poel also carefully watched the races and his rivals, distinguishing the rider with whom he raced in Tirreno-Adriatico, the one who was in the form in Paris-Nice, and the second, who is the current chance to win on Saturday as a key rival.
“I have not seen many surprises. On Saturday it would be between the established names again, “said Van der Poel. “[Filippo] Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) once more proved that he could be one in all the best favorites, in Paris I saw it [Mads] Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) is in excellent condition. And then in fact it is [Tadej] Pogacar (Zea Team Emirates-XRG), which is currently at home. “
Milan-San Remo is referred to as the easiest monument to be accomplished, but the most difficult to win, shown that no rider won it in years from Erik Zabel in 2001, but Van der Poel is convinced that he is approaching the shape to re-win the victory.
