SANREMO (ITALPRESS) – Show was to be, show was. The 116th edition of the Milan-Sanremo closed with Mathieu van der Poel’s victory and an incredible performance by Filippo Ganna: however, the Italian’s comeback was not enough to go to trouble the Dutchman who was also able to beat Tadej Pogacar. The reigning world champion tried in every way to break away from his rival and then solo to the finish line, but raising his arms to the sky on Via Roma – for the second time in his career after 2023 – was the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider.
The race, which started from Pavia, was characterized by the initial rain: Alessandro Verre (Arkea-B&B Hotels), Tommaso Nencini (Team Solution Tech-Vini Fantini) and Martin Marcellusi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizané) animated the race with the first sprints, then the leading group was joined by five other escapees, with the main group allowing a lead of around 4′ until the rejoining arrived on Cipressa: everything happened from then on, Narvaez split the group, Pogacar unleashed the first attack followed closely by Ganna and Van der Poel.
The Slovenian repeatedly tried to break away from the Belgian, on the Poggio – the final climb -, Ganna first broke away and then recovered on the leading pair: in the three-man sprint, the Dutchman’s lunge was decisive. “I’m very happy to have won, it will be an edition to remember – VDP’s words – I don’t remember when it was the last attack on the Cipressa able to get to the finish, then the three of us all the way: it’s an emotion that I will remember for a long time. I felt good in the flat stretch before the finish, I tried to surprise them, I anticipated the sprint and succeeded in my intent.”
Also satisfied was Filippo Ganna, still second after the 2023 edition: “In front I had a world champion and one who has won so many classics. I am happy because with the team we did our best. Perhaps the only regret was waiting for Van der Poel to leave. I gave everything, as a group we did everything we could to make this Saturday unforgettable. In history there are champions who took 14 years to win it, I did two podiums within a few years. Let’s see what the future holds, in the end I think I gave it my all, more than that we couldn’t do.”
On the other hand, the curse continues for Tadej Pogacar, who still failed to win the Spring Classic: “It was a great race, we started in the rain, it was an exciting race. We gave our best, I have to thank all my team. In the final I couldn’t do anything, they were too fast for me. I have no regrets, I did my best.” It’s the best start to the season for Van der Poel, at his second Milan-San Remo, which adds up to two Paris-Roubaix and three Tours of Flanders (7 monumental Classics won in his career). Monday will start again with the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, while Sunday, April 6, will be the Tour of Flanders.
– IPA Agency photo –
(ITALPRESS).
