"In 2025 he was really close..."- Mathieu van der Poel believes it's 'only a matter of time' before Tadej Pogacar wins Milano-Sanremo
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel is the defending champion at Milano-Sanremo and perhaps the main favourite to win it this Saturday; however he is facing a Tadej Pogacar that has his eyes on the Cipressa. There is likely to be no element of surprise, but instead the Dutchman will need his absolute best day to match the World Champion on the first monument of the season.
If he wins, this is to be his third triumph in Italy, after 2023 and 2025. Is it his favourite out of the three monuments he's won? "That's a tough question. The finishes of Sanremo and Roubaix... are iconic. No offense if I say the Flanders finish isn't on the same level, given the context," van der Poel told Gazzetta dello Sport. "But it's still particularly challenging; the last 10 kilometers are wide and straight, and if you're not at your best, they can become endless."
The three-time Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders winner knows all about winning in the spring classics, but he leaves positive remarks on the first monument of the year, where he will lead Alpecin-Premier Tech in pursuit of a fourth consecutive win.
"Making comparisons isn't always easy, but the last Sanremo was certainly extraordinary. In short, the Classicissima is a race everyone desires, that everyone can't wait for. Unique, in a single word."
Tirreno-Adriatico ideal for preparation
To achieve his best form, he's had a spotless winter, unbeatable in cyclocross where he also captured a record-breaking eighth world title; starting his road season with a dominant win at Omloop het Nieuwsblad; and then winning two stages at Tirreno-Adriatico where he looked to be at his very best form.
It's hard to argue he could be any better for the start in Pavia this Saturday. "Yes. Obviously, I don't know if I'll win, but I think I'm ready to do it. I'm happy with the preparation I've done and pleased with how I performed at the Tirreno-Adriatico. I even felt good on the climbs."
On the final day he was questioned over the pacing he did on the day's clibms, dropping his teammates including Jasper Philipsen on a day for the sprinters. He further explained that the Italian race was used to improve his condition. "What we did during the stages was interval training and race simulations, which I need to get into peak form. I was looking for that extra dose of intensity that you only find in racing and when you give it your all to win".
"It's very difficult for me to reproduce that in training, and the Tirreno has always been useful for final preparation. I hope that this year, when all is said and done, it will be the same." Ultimately, both riders seem to arrive at Sanremo with very good form; but Philipsen's chances are minute in comparison to his teammate, taking into consideration the expected tactics that will be at play.
Mathieu van der Poel at the start of stage 5 of the 2025 Tirreno-Adriatico
Expecting Tadej Pogacar's attack
Because naturally, UAE Team Emirates - XRG is expected to go all on the nine-minute climb to Cipressa, the only place on the route where Tadej Pogacar seems to be able to make the difference to anyone on the field.
"Well, yes. The scenario will be quite similar to what everyone expects. But... What was done in 2025 isn't something that can be repeated every year. We had perfect wind on the Cipressa, and even to get to the Poggio. If it had been the opposite, it would have been a whole different story," he agues. "The same goes for 2026."
However he does admit that he was close to breaking 12 months ago, on the climb which has become the centerpiece of the race. "I have to say that in 2025 he was really close to making a solo breakaway. If I were just one percent below my optimal condition... he would drop me".
Van der Poel has a lot of respect for his big rival, whom he will also face in Flanders and Roubaix as the biggest rival certainly. And in Sanremo, he believes a victory is also coming at some point in his career. "It's only a matter of time before he wins Sanremo."
"... Before, no one would have even thought of attacking on the Cipressa. But Tadej and the UAE have changed things, making Sanremo a much tougher and more spectacular race."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- A mindset that reminds me of Tim Declerq. I loved watching that guy just pound away the kilometers, hours at the front, holding an entire breakaway in check on his own. Bjerg seems like a similar guy. Curling, the team sport.RidesHills04-11-2026
- He will be lol, but he can still win on the climbs hahaawp04-11-2026
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