Michele Bartoli scolds Wout van Aert in Milano-Sanremo absence: "When you expect something from him, he doesn't deliver"

While the cycling world marvelled at the breathtaking battle between Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar, and Filippo Ganna at last weekend’s Milano-Sanremo, one name was conspicuously missing from the start list: Wout van Aert.

The Belgian star, who memorably won the Italian Monument in 2020, opted to sit out the first Monument of 2025, a decision that’s drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly given the seismic showdown that unfolded in his absence.

Van Aert’s attention is now firmly on the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, where he lines up today. It will be his first major test of the cobbled classics campaign, a spring season in which he’ll once again attempt to conquer the sport’s two roughest Monuments: the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. In both, he will have to contend with the formidable presence of Van der Poel and Pogacar, arguably the two most dominant riders of the current era.

Former Monument winner Michele Bartoli, speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, didn’t shy away from expressing his doubts about Van Aert’s absence in Italy.

"Apart from Filippo Ganna, Wout van Aert is the only one who could still win," Bartoli said, referring to Van Aert’s potential to disrupt the Van der Poel–Pogacar dominance.

Yet despite this recognition of Van Aert’s talent, Bartoli questioned the Belgian’s approach to the early season.

"But when you expect something from him, he doesn't deliver. I also wonder why he didn't participate in Milan-Sanremo. He says he trains, but he has to measure himself against the others. Training alone is not enough, he also has to race."

It’s a sharp critique, but one that taps into a familiar narrative surrounding Van Aert: despite his consistency and immense ability, he has sometimes fallen short in the moments where the spotlight shines brightest. With the likes of Van der Poel already adding another Monument to his growing tally, questions naturally arise about Van Aert’s timing and readiness heading into the most crucial part of his campaign.

Meanwhile, Ganna, who finished second at Sanremo, continues to win admirers. Bartoli included the Italian in the conversation when discussing potential Paris-Roubaix contenders.

"He is in top form and certainly a serious candidate to win Paris-Roubaix for example," Bartoli acknowledged. "However, Mathieu van der Poel and especially Tadej Pogacar, if he starts, remain the top favourites. If Pogacar is at the start somewhere, he is always the top favourite."

That last point captures the gravity of Pogacar’s presence. Even in the brutal terrain of Paris-Roubaix (a race he has never contested) his name still carries top billing among pre-race favourites. And following his Cipressa attack at Sanremo, where he and Ganna shattered a decades-old climbing record before being outsprinted by Van der Poel, Pogacar once again demonstrated his ability to rewrite what is considered possible in one-day racing.