"I am very happy that he wins" - Jasper Philipsen sacrifices himself in support of Mathieu van der Poel at Milano-Sanremo 2025

Although he couldn't replicate his victory from 2024, a battered and bruised Jasper Philipsen sacrificed any goals he may have had at Milano-Sanremo 2025 to support Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate Mathieu van der Poel. That work was ultimately rewarded too as Van der Poel secured the win in a thrilling finale.

“My legs weren't fantastic,” admitted Philipsen in a post-race interview with Sporza, still very clearly feeling the effects of a nasty crash at Nokere Koerse in midweek, having left the Belgian one-day race in the back of an ambulance. "That I rode here anyway? That's a bit of a team decision. I did my best and I hoped for a good feeling, but that wasn't there. That's not abnormal either, right?"

As mentioned though, Philipsen more than proved his worth eventually, giving all that he had in support of the eventual winner Van der Poel. "I am very happy that he wins," adds a delighted Philipsen with a smile. 

Despite not being at his very best, Philipsen was still praised by teammates after, with Quinten Hermans singling out the Belgian for a warm word in his own post-race interview. "Jasper didn't feel great and it's very clever that an ex-winner sacrifices his chances," notes Hermans. "He dropped us off perfectly at the Cipressa. Hats off to him for doing that. He can always go for his own chance, but he sacrificed himself completely. Luckily we were honest with each other. I took the lead just before the Cipressa, but Jasper told me he would do it. He did that perfectly."

With this win for Van der Poel, it now also marks three straight victories at Milano-Sanremo for the Alpecin-Deceuninck team. "We have the type of rider for it. This race is a specialty of our team," comments Hermans on this incredible trifecta for his team.