“I needed this with an eye on the classics" - Mathieu van der Poel heads to Milano-Sanremo full of confidence despite missing out on Tirreno-Adriatico stage win

Mathieu van der Poel had an interesting if unspectacular outing at Tirreno-Adriatico this week. Although a stage win ultimately wasn't on the cards for the Alpecin-Deceuninck leader, he does nevertheless head to Milano-Sanremo with his confidence levels boosted.

"I feel good, which is a victory in itself considering the weather of the past few days. I needed this with an eye on the classics," Van der Poel assessed of his feelings in conversation with Sporza, ahead of Sunday afternoon's final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico 2025. "It's a shame I couldn't win a stage. That was the goal. I had a few good days. But it didn't work out. An extra stage win in Tirreno wouldn't change my palmares much, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have liked to win. I came close too."

Van der Poel did indeed come close, finishing 3rd on stage 4 and 2nd on stage 5. "I think I found the extra percentages I was looking for here," Van der Poel says happily, although he does note that one of the stars of Tirreno-Adriatico 2025 has also sent out a Classics warning. "In this Tirreno it was mainly Filippo Ganna . He has already proven that he is a candidate winner for Milano-Sanremo."

As for his other potentially standout rivals for the coming weeks, Van der Poel produces two candidates. "Mads Pedersen is also in good shape in Paris-Nice. And then Tadej Pogacar is still at home," the former world champion concludes, revealing what's to come for himself in preparation for Milano-Sanremo. "Mainly rest and occasionally provide a stimulus during training. I feel ready for what is to come."

On the final stage, Van der Poel was again active, actually getting himself into the day's early breakaway. Again though, he was denied a stage win as Jonathan Milan eventually prevailed from a bunch sprint in the finale.