Vincenzo Nibali anticipates Milano-Sanremo battle: "Van der Poel and Van Aert are the two rivals for Pogačar"

Vincenzo Nibali is one of the riders who knows Milano-Sanremo the best. Winner in 2018, he's chased the win on the Italian monument for many years, and he anticipates the battle for the 2023 featuring Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel

“Last year he tried to make a difference on the Poggio, but now he will focus on the Cipressa. Last year's edition he had in mind. He will try to change something," Nibali told Gazzetta dello Sport regarding Paris-Nice winner Pogacar. “I therefore cannot rule out the possibility that he and his team will try a remote action on Saturday, on the Cipressa, in order to wear down Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. Van der Poel and Van Aert are the two rivals for Pogačar, who is the favourite.”

UAE take on a strong team to Sanremo focused on the climbers and puncheurs, and are certain to attempt something. He expects an aggressive race, truly opening up at Cipressa. Attacks on the Poggio are expected. He comments also on the chances of Mathieu van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck who come as outsiders for the race.

“Van der Poel will be the most important man for Alpecin-Deceuninck, although they can also aim for Jasper Philipsen in a sprint. At Jumbo-Visma I expect that they will fully pull the Van Aert card. He can put his gear on the hardest part of the Poggio, a section of 600 meters, but he can also wait for the sprint," he concluded.