"I am very happy that he wins" - Jasper Philipsen sacrifices himself in support of Mathieu van der Poel at Milano-Sanremo 2025
Cycling
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.
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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.
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History rewritten. @Milano_Sanremo is ours. Second time for @mathieuvdpoel, third (!) time in a row for #AlpecinDeceuninck! 🏆🏆🏆#MilanoSanremo #MVDP pic.twitter.com/T1Sc7iDU0v
— Alpecin-Deceuninck Cycling Team (@AlpecinDCK) March 22, 2025
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- Wow ! Why was he allowed to finish that stage? Where was the concussion protocol?frieders325-03-2025
- You know, all his critics would be the first to complain about the Tour if he retired.Mistermaumau24-03-2025
- Fine by me, was just trying to understand why you felt Tadej’s and MVDP’s 2 per year was more interesting than 3 and 1 or with the others thrown in the mix. Up to now results of the two eras are not very different but it may have been more interesting to compare the number of races where both actually CONFRONTED each other. I’m pretty sure TP and MVDP don’t have a hope in hell of offering nearly as much rivalry, many years the other 2 did 2 or 3 monuments together, in 1975 they even both did all 5! And that’s without counting classics. Compared to that it sure looks as if today’s riders try to avoid the others. You’re right to spend your time otherwise if you prefer I enjoy learning stuff from people with their personal view, whether I agree or not, debate is a great tool for that but obviously no longer fashionable in the age of Twitter where stating is more important than reasoning. Enjoy the racing/your rides, whatever.Mistermaumau24-03-2025
- Thanks, I will go look for itJumpyjohn24-03-2025
- If this is true then he has checked out mentally. This is a very bad sign for this team.awp24-03-2025
- To be clear, I won't comment on another person or try to change what they do, and I won't uses language like you just did. I can only determine what I do, and I'd like to spend my time celebrating the incredible riding we see and enjoy it as much as possible. I'm a fan, I'd rather be a fan in awe than one going into debates online.RidesHills24-03-2025
- It was a very impressive ride by Matthew Brennan. This kid has some serious talent.
santiagobenites24-03-2025 - RiderHills...well said, the guy is a pain in the arse. He talks utter crap most of the time and off comment. Just ignore the sad little man.
Senna196024-03-2025 - I'm coming to realize that answering your questions will just lead down a rabbit hole of debate. I'd rather avoid that, and instead celebrate the amazing things we see in front of us. Have a good day!RidesHills24-03-2025
- 14 August 2023 Canadian Cycling Magazine.Hill3324-03-2025