One of cycling's most famous classics, the 289km Milano-San Remo, was won by Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin - Deceuninck), who beat Filippo Ganna (INEOS Granadiers) and reigning world champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) in a three-man final battle. Madis Mihkels (EF Education - EasyPost) finished 66th, more than two and a half minutes behind the winner.
"It's hard to believe," said van der Poel. "I was focused on winning, but we knew Tadej was very strong. I felt really good at the end, but the start was terrible with the rain and the cold. When I got to the coast I felt better and better. This is the third year in a row that our team has won Milan-San Remo and it's unique."
The decisive events began to unfold 25 km before the finish on Mount Cipressa, when Pogacar attacked repeatedly, with only van der Poel and Ganna able to keep up. "I knew that Tadej was the strongest in the mountains, but we were able to go together as a threesome and our cooperation was quite good. My finish was at the top of the Poggio (5.5 km before the finish), I knew that Tadej would try to leave me there, but I was strong," said van der Poel.
After a long game of cat and mouse, van der Poel started a sprint with 300 meters to go. "Pogacar and Ganna were interested in a long sprint and thought my tactics were for a short sprint. I decided to surprise them a bit and I was strong enough to stay ahead until the end," said van der Poel, who also won Milan-San Remo two years ago.
🔻 Breathtaking. Possibly the greatest 1000m we've seen is la Via Roma.
— Milano Sanremo (@Milano_Sanremo) March 22, 2025
🔻 Mozzafiato. Forse il più grande 1000m che abbiamo visto sulla Via Roma.
⏪ The @continentaltire Ultimo Kilometro ⤵️ #MilanoSanremo presented by @CA_Ita pic.twitter.com/u6E2ZMt5ZX
History rewritten. @Milano_Sanremo is ours. Second time for @mathieuvdpoel , third (!) time in a row for #AlpecinDeceuninck ! 🏆🏆🏆 #MilanoSanremo #MVDP pic.twitter.com/T1Sc7iDU0v
— Alpecin-Deceuninck Cycling Team (@AlpecinDCK) March 22, 2025
🥇 🇳🇱 🎙️ "It's hard to believe. The beginning was horrible. La Cipressa was impressive.
— Milano Sanremo (@Milano_Sanremo) March 22, 2025
I made it a long sprint because I knew they thought I'd go for a short one" - Mathieu van der Poel #MilanoSanremo presented by @CA_Ita pic.twitter.com/qhhY18Ph12
🥈 🇮🇹 🎙️ "I'm really happy. I tried to follow two gods of cycling. Today, more than ever, I couldn't anymore" - Filippo Ganna #MilanoSanremo presented by @CA_Ita pic.twitter.com/RT93LUIqv4
— Milano Sanremo (@Milano_Sanremo) March 22, 2025
🥉 🇸🇮 🎙️ "We stuck to the plan, we did a perfect job. Mathieu was so strong today. Chapeau to him. We'll come next year for more." - Tadej Pogacar #MilanoSanremo presented by @CA_Ita pic.twitter.com/0hFqogOsgy
— Milano Sanremo (@Milano_Sanremo) March 22, 2025
🤯🤯🤯 Lost for words. #MilanoSanremo presented by @CA_Ita | @VelonCC pic.twitter.com/XtGzFcPUNN
— Milano Sanremo (@Milano_Sanremo) March 22, 2025
