Mathieu van der Poel has said “it’s only a matter of time” before Tadej Pogačar wins Milan-San Remo, having played a huge role in denying the Slovenian a maiden victory in the Italian Monument the past three years.
The Dutchman, a two-time winner at La Primavera, has been sharpening the tools this past week at Tirreno-Adriatico, before facing off with Pogačar for the first time this season, netting two stage wins and maintaining his supreme form from winning Omloop Nieuwsblad solo.
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Pogačar hasn’t raced either of the WorldTour stage races this week after he dominated Strade Bianche on his season debut last weekend, but it’s him that Van der Poel is, of course, asked about as cycling looks ahead to the first Monument of 2026.
He may be in flying form, but Van der Poel knows that the margins will again be slim when it comes to whether he can follow Pogačar’s inevitable massive attack.
Pogačar has animated the race from the front on several occasions, with results of fifth, fourth, third and third since 2022, but has been unable to breakaway solo on the Poggio or Cipressa from the likes of Van der Poel, losing the sprint to win twice.
Van der Poel has been the constant thorn in his side, able to match even his most violent moves. He countered him on the Poggio to win solo in 2023, and had the power to follow on the Cipressa before winning a three-up sprint against Pogačar and Ganna last season, but the World Champion has only threatened more and more as the years have gone by.
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