Tadej Pogacar eyes 2026 Milano-Sanremo glory after Mathieu van der Poel victory - 'We come next year for more'
Updated 22/03/2025 at 21:20 GMT
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) took third spot at the 2025 Milano-Sanremo on Saturday afternoon, pipped to the victory by winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)and second-placed Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers). Speaking after the race, the Slovenian said that he would return next year in the hopes of improving upon his performance.
Highlights: Van der Poel clinches memorable win at Milano-Sanremo ahead of Ganna and Pogacar
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) said that he would "come next year for more" at Milano-Sanremo after claiming third place in a thrilling race.
The Slovenian was one of three riders sprinting for victory in the final 300 metres in Italy, but it was Alpecin-Deceuninck's Mathieu van der Poel who took the win, with Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) taking second place.
Pogacar was the final man on the podium, and speaking to TNT Sports after the race, he praised his two rivals and said there was little more he could have done.
He said: "We stuck to the plan. We did a perfect job. The team was amazing. I did my best. I tried. I was happy to go along with Mathieu and Pippo [Ganna], it was a really good group."
The 26-year-old said that in 2026 he and his team would return hoping to improve at a race that he is yet to win in what is already a hugely successful career.
He added: "I tried to get on the podium, but I knew I needed to start early, and Mathieu was just so strong, also Pippo. So I need to be satisfied with a third, but we come next year for more."
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Pogacar admits he was beaten by ‘two better riders on the day’
Video credit: TNT Sports
‘Hard to believe’ - Van der Poel celebrates Milano-Sanremo triumph
Van der Poel said his thrilling win over Ganna and Pogacar at Milano-Sanremo was "hard to believe."
The win for the team was the third in a row and the second time the Dutchman had triumphed in Italy. The victory was also his seventh Monument win over the course of his career so far.
However, what might have made the win even sweeter was the quality of the competition, and the track record his team had built ahead of the event.
After the win, Van der Poel said: "It's hard to believe. I was really focused on trying to get the win, but we knew Tadej was going to be really strong, and I felt really good, actually, at the end.
"The beginning was horrible with the rain and the cold, but when we came down the coast I started to feel better and better. It's the third year in a row we won with the team, so it's unique."
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Van der Poel: Honour to share podium with Pogacar and Ganna after ‘special’ win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Discussing his tactics, where he and Pogacar pulled away, he said: "I knew Tadej was strongest on the climbs. Already, Cipressa was impressive. When we went to a three, the cooperation was pretty good, because it's the podium spots, of course.
"I knew that my finish was on the podium with Tadej. I knew he was going to try and drop me, but I felt pretty strong. I hoped I could counter, but he was strong enough to get me back."
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The Dutchman made the decisive move first in the sprint, as he launched what was a relatively long dash to the line, and he believed it might have given him the edge over his two opponents down the final straight.
He explained: "I knew the other two wanted to make it a long sprint because they probably thought I was going to make it as short as possible. I think I surprised them a bit. When I saw the 300-metre sign, I launched my sprint, I felt strong enough to keep it until the finish line, and I think it was the right tactic.
"Just winning Sanremo is special, but beating those two, they're both incredible riders. It's an honour to be on the podium with those two. I'm super happy."
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