"In 2025 he was really close..."- Mathieu van der Poel believes it's 'only a matter of time' before Tadej Pogacar wins Milano-Sanremo

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."

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.

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."