Alpecin-Deceuninck bid for Milano-Sanremo hat trick with Philipsen and Van der Poel: “It all depends on what happens on the Poggio”
Cycling
As the peloton prepares to take on the longest one-day race
of the year, Alpecin-Deceuninck arrive at Milano-Sanremo with a formidable
one-two punch: 2023 champion Mathieu van der Poel and last year’s winner Jasper
Philipsen.
However, Philipsen’s lead-up has been anything but smooth. A
crash earlier this week left the Belgian battered and bruised, casting doubt
over his ability to line up. But speaking in a team press release, Philipsen
explained why he’s decided to push through.
“It was a hard crash that I didn’t see coming and I needed
some time to determine if I would be ready to race,” he says. “My hand was
stitched that same evening at the UZ hospital in Ghent and all the abrasions
were treated with extra care. It’s far from comfortable, but fortunately the
pain is not unbearable. On Thursday morning I was already able to ride quite
well, without too much stiffness. So I want to give it a try.”
Despite the injury setback, Philipsen is realistic but
optimistic about his chances, and the team’s.
“Milan-San Remo is never an easy race to win. Last year
everything fell into place for me and I am very aware of that. But maybe this
year the scenario will be completely different. But with Mathieu and now Kaden
in the team, we have several options. I am confident that we can achieve
something as a team and that is the most important thing in the end.”
Van der Poel, who claimed an emphatic win in the 2023
edition, knows that success in Sanremo often depends less on raw power and more
on tactical timing.
“It is an unpredictable race. It is no coincidence that
everyone says that it is one of the monuments that you can win without
necessarily being the strongest rider. It all depends on what happens on the
Poggio. The most difficult moment is when the group is still together after the
descent of the Poggio. You know that attacks are coming. That is perhaps the
most dangerous moment of the race.”
When it comes to his main rival, Van der Poel is keeping a
close eye on Tadej Pogacar, who is widely expected to try and force a selection
on the climbs.
“I think he will hesitate less than last year. He will try
to ride even harder on the Poggio to create a decisive lead. Sometimes it is
even better not to have the legs to attack yourself, but just to follow when
someone else makes a move. You don't necessarily have to be the first over the
Poggio to win.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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