Sprinter wins Milano-Sanremo for the first time in 8 years - Jasper Philipsen wins 'dream' monument

Sure enough, it was not a bunch sprint, but Jasper Philipsen has become the first sprinter to win Milano-Sanremo in years. It was an impressive display of power from him and Alpecin-Deceuninck to bring home the first monument of the win and revalidate their title from 2023.

"It's incredible. I cannot realize that, monument is something which you dream of, Milano-Sanremo maybe one of the monuments I can win, but I'm really proud," Philipsen said in a post-race interview. "So what Mathieu did in the final was an incredible job. It is incredibly and I'm happy we could manage it as a team." Philipsen did the perfect race, being in perfect position in all moments.

He rode a superb climb of the Poggio, in the back of the leading group that was following Tadej Pogacar. He was in a good position, and Mathieu van der Poel played an absolutely crucial role in closing several attacks in the finale, which contributed to the possible success of the sprinters that were still in the group.

Philipsen, a sprinter - who has proven himself once again in the classics - has won the fastest edition in the history of the monument. "They break records every year it seems, I think last year it was also the fastest Milano-Sanremo. The speed is going faster and faster every year and yeah I was feeling quite good actually," he continues. "I had a feeling today could be my day, I had good legs from the start. I also believe in it, but everything needs to follow in place."

Nevertheless, even in the sprint the victory of the Belgian was extremely tight over Michael Matthews, as he squeezed through a small gap to win only be centimeters at the line. "I was a bit afraid that Matthews was really strong, I didn't have to do one sprint all day but after 300 kilometers a sprint feels strange and different," he admits. "I was happy that I had those 5 centimeters to beat him."

"In the Poggio the favourites looked a little bit at each other and I managed to come back and Mathieu was there who really did a big team job. I thanked him a lot for what he did."