{"id":1838375,"date":"2026-03-20T12:23:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:23:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1838375"},"modified":"2026-03-20T12:23:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:23:01","slug":"who-will-be-king-of-the-spring-how-milan-san-remo-could-write-the-next-chapter-of-tadej-pogacar-and-mathieu-van-der-poels-thrilling-rivalry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1838375","title":{"rendered":"Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T12:23:01Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Like Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck the pair have come to dominate the biggest Spring Classics, and they&#8217;ll go head to had again on Saturday<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"0dbcd3cb-9b5e-42eb-baa2-8d8192af7826\">Milan-San Remo is the first of three rounds of the greatest prize fight in professional cycling right now. It is a battle of the titans, that is rewriting the cycling history books, fueling one of the greatest rivalries and inspiring some great racing.<\/p>\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel will again go toe to toe, shoulder to shoulder and wheel to wheel in Italy on Saturday and then again at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p id=\"0dbcd3cb-9b5e-42eb-baa2-8d8192af7826-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Two of the sport&#8217;s biggest names are facing off this spring, trying to enforce their dominance over the other in three of the sport&#8217;s biggest Monument races.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Tadej needs to attack on the Cipressa&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel plays tactical mind games with Milan-San Remo rival Poga\u010dar<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>They have clashed for the last three springs, first at San Remo and Flanders, and then at Roubaix last year when Poga\u010dar made his Hell of the North debut. Van der Poel has more wins, managing to win all three of the four spring Monuments, but Poga\u010dar is coming ever closer to beating him, something he&#8217;s only done in Flanders so far. Of course, Poga\u010dar has won Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, Il Lombardia and Strade Bianche too.<\/p>\n<p>The spring of 2026 could finally decide who is the king of the spring, if Poga\u010dar really is the Merckx of his generation or if Van der Poel is one of the Classics greats of all time.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rewriting-the-monument-record-book-3\">Rewriting the Monument record book <\/h2>\n<p id=\"08475f44-acd6-4222-9af3-557235f6dcdd\">Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar have dominated the Monuments for the last three years, swapping turns to win and lose, beating each other but dominating the biggest one-day races on the men&#8217;s calendar. The two have won 13 of the last 15 Monuments, plus the last three UCI Road World Championships, leaving little on the table for their rivals.<\/p>\n<p>Wout van Aert has faded away or been injured in recent seasons and Filippo Ganna is only a third incumbent at Milan-San Remo and has yet to prove his talents on the cobbles. Few others have beaten them when they are racing and at their best and the next generation has still to emerge. For now the biggest Classics are still Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Van der Poel&#8217;s world.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poga\u010dar&#8217;s palmar\u00e8s is one of the richest in cycling history and has become even more prestigious since he began chasing the spring Classics in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>The Slovenian won Strade Bianche in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026. He travelled north to Belgium and the cobbles to prove he is far more than just a Grand Tour rider and won the Tour of Flanders in 2023 and 2025, only missing the race in 2024 to target the Giro-Tour double.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has also \u200b\u200bwon Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge three times and now has a total of 10 Monument victories from 20 rides. Of course, only Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix are missing but victory is surely only a matter of time, unless Van der Poel gets in the way again.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"e8a92bf0-abbd-4642-8b1a-a559a2b6cfae\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar can beat Van der Poel at Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"3bf3a821-83fb-4dd9-88d0-82c496811d43\">The Alpecin-Premier Tech leader is more of a Classics specialist but is arguably more effective on his day, with an even better strike rate than Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>He won the Tour of Flanders in 2020, 2022 and 2024 and Paris-Roubaix in 2023, 2024 and 2024. He won Milan-San Remo in 2023 and 2025 and wore the rainbow jersey in 2024 after winning in style in Glasgow. Van der Poel has won eight Monuments in 21 rides but his palmar\u00e9s also include six other podium places.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has skewed his data by his five consecutive Il Lombardia victories but there has been little room for other riders to edge their wheel over the line first when he is racing. Remco Evenepoel won Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge in 2023 but that was when Poga\u010dar crashed hard and fractured his scaphoid.<\/p>\n<p>Jasper Philispen won Milan-San Remo in 2024 but only thanks to the sacrifice and chasing of Van der Poel. Poga\u010dar made a final attack near the sumit of the Poggio but they were caught and he finished &#8216;only&#8217; fourth in the sprint.<\/p>\n<p>Both Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel are already amongst the all-time Classics winners, with years ahead of them still to race and win.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2023, they have virtually swapped turns at winning, beating each other and any rare rivals in every race. In 2025, Van der Poel won Milan-San Remo, Poga\u010dar got revenge with a solo victory at the Tour of Flanders but then Van der Poel struck again at Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar is on the cusp of winning a fifth Tour de France and so will join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain in the record book of legendary Grand Tour greats.<\/p>\n<p>He is chasing Monuments at the same time. Only Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck ever won all five Monuments but Poga\u010dar seems within his capabilities \u2013 Van der Poel is probably his only obstacle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"e276b99f-08f5-4d64-b12f-60ec1b2c815b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The pair see each other as their biggest rivals in one-day races <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"11bc0953-4a6c-42ff-85d4-76c437e298fe\">Van der Poel is also the only active rider with wins in Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. He could even make history this year and win all three. A fourth Paris-Roubaix victory would equal Tom Boonen and Roger De Vlaeminck. Nobody has ever won four in a row but the Dutchman has a shot at that too. A third Milan-San Remo victory on Saturday could begin the pursuit of a historic spring Monument triple. Both Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel are making history as they battle with each other.<\/p>\n<p>Merckx stands atop the list of of all-time Monument victories with 19 but Poga\u010dar can join Roger De Vlaeminck in second place with 11 Monuments if he wins Milan-San Remo. Van der Poel is moving up the list of greats with eight.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pogacar-vs-van-der-poel-is-like-eddy-merckx-vs-roger-de-vlaeminck-3\">Poga\u010dar vs Van der Poel is like Eddy Merckx vs Roger De Vlaeminck<\/h2>\n<p id=\"ae8a09d9-932d-4863-96bd-4af720c38505\">Great rivalries are the salt of professional cycling, inspiring some of the greatest racing of all time and the best narratives.<\/p>\n<p>Jonas Vingegaard has pushed Poga\u010dar to Tour de France greatness and Van der Poel is doing the same in the Classics.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar versus Van der Poel is like a remake of Eddy Merckx versus Roger De Vlaeminck from the late sixties and early seventies. That saw the ever-aggressive Cannibal take on the more crafty De Vlaeminck, who used his fast finish and tactic skills to often outwit and so irritate Merckx.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"f1b82697-395e-48e5-aebb-de33effccaed\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Merckx and De Vlaeminck forged a historic Classics rivalry <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"b40735ec-b4a0-42ba-aa6b-d3379b9ab081\">Of course Merckx won Milan-San Remo seven times, the last exactly 50 years ago in 1976. De Vlaeminck dominated Paris-Roubaix, winning four times in 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1977. Merckx won in 1968, 1970 and 1973, as the two left few opportunities for their rivals for almost a decade.<\/p>\n<p>It is unfair to directly compare generations but Merckx has modestly described Poga\u010dar as even more prolific than he was.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, I don&#8217;t see many differences. There were days when I won by a wide margin, like the 1969 Li\u00e8ge stage or the Tre Cime di Lavaredo stage of the 1968 Giro,&#8221; he recently told <em>La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I see the same determination in Tadej. But let&#8217;s stop there, because as you know, I don&#8217;t like comparisons, especially when comparing different eras.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Merckx had simple advice for Poga\u010dar if he wants to beat Van der Poel at this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This could be a good time for Poga\u010dar if&#8230; he attacks at the right time. But the Van der Poel we saw at the Tirreno-Adriatico, thanks to his two stage wins and more, won&#8217;t be easy to beat,&#8221; Merckx warned.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Tadej must drop him, because after 300 kilometres on Via Roma, if they were still together&#8230; the favourite would be Mathieu.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"fc841223-ea01-4c8a-82d6-d6866c92bb2a\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The pair are glued together when they race together <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"88db18cb-35bd-41bb-ad69-073fda804a2b\">When Van der Poel won his eighth cyclocross world title, passing Erik De Vlaeminck, his brother rebuked any suggestion that the Dutchman was the greatest cyclocross rider of all time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Bloody hell, no. Not by a long shot,&#8221; Roger told <em>Het Nieuwsblad<\/em> in early February.<\/p>\n<p>Even at 78, De Vlaeminck remains as competitive as when he clashed with Merckx.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel, Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar are good riders but when I watch them I can&#8217;t enjoy myself. I want to race against those guys and beat them the way I sometimes beat Merckx,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"changing-the-cipressa-racing-3\">Changing the Cipressa racing <\/h2>\n<p id=\"d47eb320-68d4-4b3f-a846-490e2a47d9ba\">Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel&#8217;s battle to be the king of the Classics is so intense it has changed the nature of the racing.<\/p>\n<p>Milan-San Remo was traditionally dominated by the sprinters and opportunists. Poga\u010dar&#8217;s attacks have changed the race, in the same way he has snatched the Tour of Flanders from the biggest rouleurs.<\/p>\n<p>Milan-San Remo winners now need to be power climbers if they want to survive Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Cipressa and Poggio attacks. The likes of Arnaud De Lie and other sprinters are opting to stay away from Italy this spring, knowing they have little chance of victory.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"4307970c-fc5a-432f-b56c-5cab16a08d96\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Cipressa has become the most important part of the race in recent years <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"346a7e0f-c7c6-4d86-9921-2da349785a05\">Last year Poga\u010dar produced 900 watts for a minute when he launched his first attack, the Cipressa. Van der Poel matched him and even had time to grab a bidon during a second Poga\u010dar surge.<\/p>\n<p>With Ganna hanging on for dear life, they averaged 38kph for the 5.7km Cipressa climb, setting a new record time of 8:59 according to Strava.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Van der Poel&#8217;s rivalry is more friendly and Gen Z than the snarkiness of Merckx and De Vlaeminck. After last year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo they chatted behind the podium and then joked about going even faster this year.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Next year Cipressa under 8 mins?&#8221; Van der Poel said provocatively under a Velon Instagram post about their power data.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar replied: &#8220;Analysing right now, we can a bit faster, like 59s&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar recently set an unofficial new best time of 8:51 in training but that was likely to be with help from a powerful scooter that was motor pacing him. We will find out if he is faster and if Van der Poel can stay with him on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Despite a lack of the tailwind that helped Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Cipressa attack in 2025, he is expected to try to dynamite the race there, as Merckx often did as he tried to smash and grab major victories.<\/p>\n<p>However Van der Poel seems ready for Poga\u010dar&#8217;s attack, as he showed at Tirreno-Adriatico. Van der Poel seems to be setting a trap for Poga\u010dar, so that he races far too aggressively and too generously.<\/p>\n<p>UAE may try to invent a different tactic this year, perhaps even upping the speed on the Turchino but they are stuck between a rock and a hard place, in a game of chess without a final checkmate move. Van der Poel holds the better cards, can follow the most effective tactic and knows it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel knows exactly where Poga\u010dar will go, on the steepest section of the Cipressa,&#8221; Dutch cycling expert Thijs Zonneveld said in the In De Waaier podcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel is very capable of staying on his wheel and accelerating with him. On the Cipressa, it really comes down to raw power. He &#8216;only&#8217; has to follow Poga\u010dar, and then he\u2019ll probably beat him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Advantage Van der Poel, it seems, with the Tour of Flanders and then Paris-Roubaix the rematches of the spring.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Tadej needs to attack on the Cipressa&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel plays tactical mind games with Milan-San Remo rival Poga\u010dar<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I know I will suffer immensely&#8217; &#8211; Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Blow for Visma-Lease a Bike as Matthew Brennan withdraws from Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is different, it&#8217;s very explosive&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock says positioning at Cipressa, not good shape at Milano-Torino, is primary indicator for success on Saturday<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s margin for improvement ahead of Giro d&#8217;Italia, Ineos&#8217; tactical hiccup, and the riders who shone in a brutal Paris-Nice \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Tadej needs to attack on the Cipressa&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel plays tactical mind games with Milan-San Remo rival Poga\u010dar<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The Turchino is a nice climb, no?&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar teases about a 150-kilometre Milan-San Remo attack, but is he really joking?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">2025 runner-up Marianne Vos pulls out of Milan-San Remo at last minute as start list loses another big name<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How to watch Milan-San Remo 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV channels for La Classicissima<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T12:23:01Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Like Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck the pair have come to dominate the biggest Spring Classics, and they&#8217;ll go head to had again on Saturday<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"0dbcd3cb-9b5e-42eb-baa2-8d8192af7826\">Milan-San Remo is the first of three rounds of the greatest prize fight in professional cycling right now. It is a battle of the titans, that is rewriting the cycling history books, fueling one of the greatest rivalries and inspiring some great racing.<\/p>\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel will again go toe to toe, shoulder to shoulder and wheel to wheel in Italy on Saturday and then again at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p id=\"0dbcd3cb-9b5e-42eb-baa2-8d8192af7826-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Two of the sport&#8217;s biggest names are facing off this spring, trying to enforce their dominance over the other in three of the sport&#8217;s biggest Monument races.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Tadej needs to attack on the Cipressa&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel plays tactical mind games with Milan-San Remo rival Poga\u010dar<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>They have clashed for the last three springs, first at San Remo and Flanders, and then at Roubaix last year when Poga\u010dar made his Hell of the North debut. Van der Poel has more wins, managing to win all three of the four spring Monuments, but Poga\u010dar is coming ever closer to beating him, something he&#8217;s only done in Flanders so far. Of course, Poga\u010dar has won Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, Il Lombardia and Strade Bianche too.<\/p>\n<p>The spring of 2026 could finally decide who is the king of the spring, if Poga\u010dar really is the Merckx of his generation or if Van der Poel is one of the Classics greats of all time.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rewriting-the-monument-record-book-3\">Rewriting the Monument record book <\/h2>\n<p id=\"08475f44-acd6-4222-9af3-557235f6dcdd\">Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar have dominated the Monuments for the last three years, swapping turns to win and lose, beating each other but dominating the biggest one-day races on the men&#8217;s calendar. The two have won 13 of the last 15 Monuments, plus the last three UCI Road World Championships, leaving little on the table for their rivals.<\/p>\n<p>Wout van Aert has faded away or been injured in recent seasons and Filippo Ganna is only a third incumbent at Milan-San Remo and has yet to prove his talents on the cobbles. Few others have beaten them when they are racing and at their best and the next generation has still to emerge. For now the biggest Classics are still Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Van der Poel&#8217;s world.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poga\u010dar&#8217;s palmar\u00e8s is one of the richest in cycling history and has become even more prestigious since he began chasing the spring Classics in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>The Slovenian won Strade Bianche in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026. He travelled north to Belgium and the cobbles to prove he is far more than just a Grand Tour rider and won the Tour of Flanders in 2023 and 2025, only missing the race in 2024 to target the Giro-Tour double.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has also \u200b\u200bwon Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge three times and now has a total of 10 Monument victories from 20 rides. Of course, only Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix are missing but victory is surely only a matter of time, unless Van der Poel gets in the way again.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"e8a92bf0-abbd-4642-8b1a-a559a2b6cfae\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar can beat Van der Poel at Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"3bf3a821-83fb-4dd9-88d0-82c496811d43\">The Alpecin-Premier Tech leader is more of a Classics specialist but is arguably more effective on his day, with an even better strike rate than Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>He won the Tour of Flanders in 2020, 2022 and 2024 and Paris-Roubaix in 2023, 2024 and 2024. He won Milan-San Remo in 2023 and 2025 and wore the rainbow jersey in 2024 after winning in style in Glasgow. Van der Poel has won eight Monuments in 21 rides but his palmar\u00e9s also include six other podium places.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has skewed his data by his five consecutive Il Lombardia victories but there has been little room for other riders to edge their wheel over the line first when he is racing. Remco Evenepoel won Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge in 2023 but that was when Poga\u010dar crashed hard and fractured his scaphoid.<\/p>\n<p>Jasper Philispen won Milan-San Remo in 2024 but only thanks to the sacrifice and chasing of Van der Poel. Poga\u010dar made a final attack near the sumit of the Poggio but they were caught and he finished &#8216;only&#8217; fourth in the sprint.<\/p>\n<p>Both Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel are already amongst the all-time Classics winners, with years ahead of them still to race and win.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2023, they have virtually swapped turns at winning, beating each other and any rare rivals in every race. In 2025, Van der Poel won Milan-San Remo, Poga\u010dar got revenge with a solo victory at the Tour of Flanders but then Van der Poel struck again at Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar is on the cusp of winning a fifth Tour de France and so will join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain in the record book of legendary Grand Tour greats.<\/p>\n<p>He is chasing Monuments at the same time. Only Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck ever won all five Monuments but Poga\u010dar seems within his capabilities \u2013 Van der Poel is probably his only obstacle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"e276b99f-08f5-4d64-b12f-60ec1b2c815b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The pair see each other as their biggest rivals in one-day races <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"11bc0953-4a6c-42ff-85d4-76c437e298fe\">Van der Poel is also the only active rider with wins in Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. He could even make history this year and win all three. A fourth Paris-Roubaix victory would equal Tom Boonen and Roger De Vlaeminck. Nobody has ever won four in a row but the Dutchman has a shot at that too. A third Milan-San Remo victory on Saturday could begin the pursuit of a historic spring Monument triple. Both Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel are making history as they battle with each other.<\/p>\n<p>Merckx stands atop the list of of all-time Monument victories with 19 but Poga\u010dar can join Roger De Vlaeminck in second place with 11 Monuments if he wins Milan-San Remo. Van der Poel is moving up the list of greats with eight.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pogacar-vs-van-der-poel-is-like-eddy-merckx-vs-roger-de-vlaeminck-3\">Poga\u010dar vs Van der Poel is like Eddy Merckx vs Roger De Vlaeminck<\/h2>\n<p id=\"ae8a09d9-932d-4863-96bd-4af720c38505\">Great rivalries are the salt of professional cycling, inspiring some of the greatest racing of all time and the best narratives.<\/p>\n<p>Jonas Vingegaard has pushed Poga\u010dar to Tour de France greatness and Van der Poel is doing the same in the Classics.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar versus Van der Poel is like a remake of Eddy Merckx versus Roger De Vlaeminck from the late sixties and early seventies. That saw the ever-aggressive Cannibal take on the more crafty De Vlaeminck, who used his fast finish and tactic skills to often outwit and so irritate Merckx.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"f1b82697-395e-48e5-aebb-de33effccaed\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Merckx and De Vlaeminck forged a historic Classics rivalry <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"b40735ec-b4a0-42ba-aa6b-d3379b9ab081\">Of course Merckx won Milan-San Remo seven times, the last exactly 50 years ago in 1976. De Vlaeminck dominated Paris-Roubaix, winning four times in 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1977. Merckx won in 1968, 1970 and 1973, as the two left few opportunities for their rivals for almost a decade.<\/p>\n<p>It is unfair to directly compare generations but Merckx has modestly described Poga\u010dar as even more prolific than he was.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, I don&#8217;t see many differences. There were days when I won by a wide margin, like the 1969 Li\u00e8ge stage or the Tre Cime di Lavaredo stage of the 1968 Giro,&#8221; he recently told <em>La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I see the same determination in Tadej. But let&#8217;s stop there, because as you know, I don&#8217;t like comparisons, especially when comparing different eras.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Merckx had simple advice for Poga\u010dar if he wants to beat Van der Poel at this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This could be a good time for Poga\u010dar if&#8230; he attacks at the right time. But the Van der Poel we saw at the Tirreno-Adriatico, thanks to his two stage wins and more, won&#8217;t be easy to beat,&#8221; Merckx warned.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Tadej must drop him, because after 300 kilometres on Via Roma, if they were still together&#8230; the favourite would be Mathieu.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"fc841223-ea01-4c8a-82d6-d6866c92bb2a\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The pair are glued together when they race together <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"88db18cb-35bd-41bb-ad69-073fda804a2b\">When Van der Poel won his eighth cyclocross world title, passing Erik De Vlaeminck, his brother rebuked any suggestion that the Dutchman was the greatest cyclocross rider of all time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Bloody hell, no. Not by a long shot,&#8221; Roger told <em>Het Nieuwsblad<\/em> in early February.<\/p>\n<p>Even at 78, De Vlaeminck remains as competitive as when he clashed with Merckx.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel, Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar are good riders but when I watch them I can&#8217;t enjoy myself. I want to race against those guys and beat them the way I sometimes beat Merckx,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"changing-the-cipressa-racing-3\">Changing the Cipressa racing <\/h2>\n<p id=\"d47eb320-68d4-4b3f-a846-490e2a47d9ba\">Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel&#8217;s battle to be the king of the Classics is so intense it has changed the nature of the racing.<\/p>\n<p>Milan-San Remo was traditionally dominated by the sprinters and opportunists. Poga\u010dar&#8217;s attacks have changed the race, in the same way he has snatched the Tour of Flanders from the biggest rouleurs.<\/p>\n<p>Milan-San Remo winners now need to be power climbers if they want to survive Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Cipressa and Poggio attacks. The likes of Arnaud De Lie and other sprinters are opting to stay away from Italy this spring, knowing they have little chance of victory.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"4307970c-fc5a-432f-b56c-5cab16a08d96\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Cipressa has become the most important part of the race in recent years <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"346a7e0f-c7c6-4d86-9921-2da349785a05\">Last year Poga\u010dar produced 900 watts for a minute when he launched his first attack, the Cipressa. Van der Poel matched him and even had time to grab a bidon during a second Poga\u010dar surge.<\/p>\n<p>With Ganna hanging on for dear life, they averaged 38kph for the 5.7km Cipressa climb, setting a new record time of 8:59 according to Strava.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Van der Poel&#8217;s rivalry is more friendly and Gen Z than the snarkiness of Merckx and De Vlaeminck. After last year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo they chatted behind the podium and then joked about going even faster this year.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Next year Cipressa under 8 mins?&#8221; Van der Poel said provocatively under a Velon Instagram post about their power data.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar replied: &#8220;Analysing right now, we can a bit faster, like 59s&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar recently set an unofficial new best time of 8:51 in training but that was likely to be with help from a powerful scooter that was motor pacing him. We will find out if he is faster and if Van der Poel can stay with him on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Despite a lack of the tailwind that helped Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Cipressa attack in 2025, he is expected to try to dynamite the race there, as Merckx often did as he tried to smash and grab major victories.<\/p>\n<p>However Van der Poel seems ready for Poga\u010dar&#8217;s attack, as he showed at Tirreno-Adriatico. Van der Poel seems to be setting a trap for Poga\u010dar, so that he races far too aggressively and too generously.<\/p>\n<p>UAE may try to invent a different tactic this year, perhaps even upping the speed on the Turchino but they are stuck between a rock and a hard place, in a game of chess without a final checkmate move. Van der Poel holds the better cards, can follow the most effective tactic and knows it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel knows exactly where Poga\u010dar will go, on the steepest section of the Cipressa,&#8221; Dutch cycling expert Thijs Zonneveld said in the In De Waaier podcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel is very capable of staying on his wheel and accelerating with him. On the Cipressa, it really comes down to raw power. He &#8216;only&#8217; has to follow Poga\u010dar, and then he\u2019ll probably beat him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Advantage Van der Poel, it seems, with the Tour of Flanders and then Paris-Roubaix the rematches of the spring.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Tadej needs to attack on the Cipressa&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel plays tactical mind games with Milan-San Remo rival Poga\u010dar<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I know I will suffer immensely&#8217; &#8211; Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Blow for Visma-Lease a Bike as Matthew Brennan withdraws from Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is different, it&#8217;s very explosive&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock says positioning at Cipressa, not good shape at Milano-Torino, is primary indicator for success on Saturday<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s margin for improvement ahead of Giro d&#8217;Italia, Ineos&#8217; tactical hiccup, and the riders who shone in a brutal Paris-Nice \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Tadej needs to attack on the Cipressa&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel plays tactical mind games with Milan-San Remo rival Poga\u010dar<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The Turchino is a nice climb, no?&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar teases about a 150-kilometre Milan-San Remo attack, but is he really joking?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">2025 runner-up Marianne Vos pulls out of Milan-San Remo at last minute as start list loses another big name<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How to watch Milan-San Remo 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV channels for La Classicissima<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T12:23:01Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Like Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck the pair have come to dominate the biggest Spring Classics, and they&#8217;ll go head to had again on Saturday<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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It is a battle of the titans, that is rewriting the cycling history books, fueling one of the greatest rivalries and inspiring some great racing.<\/p>\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel will again go toe to toe, shoulder to shoulder and wheel to wheel in Italy on Saturday and then again at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p id=\"0dbcd3cb-9b5e-42eb-baa2-8d8192af7826-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Two of the sport&#8217;s biggest names are facing off this spring, trying to enforce their dominance over the other in three of the sport&#8217;s biggest Monument races.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dR4PmfuSWb8krXNYyiC7Fn-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think Tadej needs to attack on the Cipressa&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel plays tactical mind games with Milan-San Remo rival Poga\u010dar<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>They have clashed for the last three springs, first at San Remo and Flanders, and then at Roubaix last year when Poga\u010dar made his Hell of the North debut. Van der Poel has more wins, managing to win all three of the four spring Monuments, but Poga\u010dar is coming ever closer to beating him, something he&#8217;s only done in Flanders so far. Of course, Poga\u010dar has won Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, Il Lombardia and Strade Bianche too.<\/p>\n<p>The spring of 2026 could finally decide who is the king of the spring, if Poga\u010dar really is the Merckx of his generation or if Van der Poel is one of the Classics greats of all time.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rewriting-the-monument-record-book-3\">Rewriting the Monument record book <\/h2>\n<p id=\"08475f44-acd6-4222-9af3-557235f6dcdd\">Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar have dominated the Monuments for the last three years, swapping turns to win and lose, beating each other but dominating the biggest one-day races on the men&#8217;s calendar. The two have won 13 of the last 15 Monuments, plus the last three UCI Road World Championships, leaving little on the table for their rivals.<\/p>\n<p>Wout van Aert has faded away or been injured in recent seasons and Filippo Ganna is only a third incumbent at Milan-San Remo and has yet to prove his talents on the cobbles. Few others have beaten them when they are racing and at their best and the next generation has still to emerge. For now the biggest Classics are still Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Van der Poel&#8217;s world.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HbfW9kTM9pha3vwFtFuNxf slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poga\u010dar&#8217;s palmar\u00e8s is one of the richest in cycling history and has become even more prestigious since he began chasing the spring Classics in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>The Slovenian won Strade Bianche in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026. He travelled north to Belgium and the cobbles to prove he is far more than just a Grand Tour rider and won the Tour of Flanders in 2023 and 2025, only missing the race in 2024 to target the Giro-Tour double.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has also \u200b\u200bwon Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge three times and now has a total of 10 Monument victories from 20 rides. Of course, only Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix are missing but victory is surely only a matter of time, unless Van der Poel gets in the way again.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"e8a92bf0-abbd-4642-8b1a-a559a2b6cfae\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sp3mMkEb7FdDnwdsRYMefR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar can beat Van der Poel at Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"3bf3a821-83fb-4dd9-88d0-82c496811d43\">The Alpecin-Premier Tech leader is more of a Classics specialist but is arguably more effective on his day, with an even better strike rate than Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>He won the Tour of Flanders in 2020, 2022 and 2024 and Paris-Roubaix in 2023, 2024 and 2024. He won Milan-San Remo in 2023 and 2025 and wore the rainbow jersey in 2024 after winning in style in Glasgow. Van der Poel has won eight Monuments in 21 rides but his palmar\u00e9s also include six other podium places.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has skewed his data by his five consecutive Il Lombardia victories but there has been little room for other riders to edge their wheel over the line first when he is racing. Remco Evenepoel won Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge in 2023 but that was when Poga\u010dar crashed hard and fractured his scaphoid.<\/p>\n<p>Jasper Philispen won Milan-San Remo in 2024 but only thanks to the sacrifice and chasing of Van der Poel. Poga\u010dar made a final attack near the sumit of the Poggio but they were caught and he finished &#8216;only&#8217; fourth in the sprint.<\/p>\n<p>Both Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel are already amongst the all-time Classics winners, with years ahead of them still to race and win.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2023, they have virtually swapped turns at winning, beating each other and any rare rivals in every race. In 2025, Van der Poel won Milan-San Remo, Poga\u010dar got revenge with a solo victory at the Tour of Flanders but then Van der Poel struck again at Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar is on the cusp of winning a fifth Tour de France and so will join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain in the record book of legendary Grand Tour greats.<\/p>\n<p>He is chasing Monuments at the same time. Only Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck ever won all five Monuments but Poga\u010dar seems within his capabilities \u2013 Van der Poel is probably his only obstacle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"e276b99f-08f5-4d64-b12f-60ec1b2c815b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZMnWqs7nRcQnKTnMBaU5fR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The pair see each other as their biggest rivals in one-day races <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"11bc0953-4a6c-42ff-85d4-76c437e298fe\">Van der Poel is also the only active rider with wins in Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. He could even make history this year and win all three. A fourth Paris-Roubaix victory would equal Tom Boonen and Roger De Vlaeminck. Nobody has ever won four in a row but the Dutchman has a shot at that too. A third Milan-San Remo victory on Saturday could begin the pursuit of a historic spring Monument triple. Both Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel are making history as they battle with each other.<\/p>\n<p>Merckx stands atop the list of of all-time Monument victories with 19 but Poga\u010dar can join Roger De Vlaeminck in second place with 11 Monuments if he wins Milan-San Remo. Van der Poel is moving up the list of greats with eight.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pogacar-vs-van-der-poel-is-like-eddy-merckx-vs-roger-de-vlaeminck-3\">Poga\u010dar vs Van der Poel is like Eddy Merckx vs Roger De Vlaeminck<\/h2>\n<p id=\"ae8a09d9-932d-4863-96bd-4af720c38505\">Great rivalries are the salt of professional cycling, inspiring some of the greatest racing of all time and the best narratives.<\/p>\n<p>Jonas Vingegaard has pushed Poga\u010dar to Tour de France greatness and Van der Poel is doing the same in the Classics.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar versus Van der Poel is like a remake of Eddy Merckx versus Roger De Vlaeminck from the late sixties and early seventies. That saw the ever-aggressive Cannibal take on the more crafty De Vlaeminck, who used his fast finish and tactic skills to often outwit and so irritate Merckx.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"f1b82697-395e-48e5-aebb-de33effccaed\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BevnvNjFdgc3Vw3ENybAjS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Merckx and De Vlaeminck forged a historic Classics rivalry <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"b40735ec-b4a0-42ba-aa6b-d3379b9ab081\">Of course Merckx won Milan-San Remo seven times, the last exactly 50 years ago in 1976. De Vlaeminck dominated Paris-Roubaix, winning four times in 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1977. Merckx won in 1968, 1970 and 1973, as the two left few opportunities for their rivals for almost a decade.<\/p>\n<p>It is unfair to directly compare generations but Merckx has modestly described Poga\u010dar as even more prolific than he was.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, I don&#8217;t see many differences. There were days when I won by a wide margin, like the 1969 Li\u00e8ge stage or the Tre Cime di Lavaredo stage of the 1968 Giro,&#8221; he recently told <em>La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I see the same determination in Tadej. But let&#8217;s stop there, because as you know, I don&#8217;t like comparisons, especially when comparing different eras.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Merckx had simple advice for Poga\u010dar if he wants to beat Van der Poel at this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This could be a good time for Poga\u010dar if&#8230; he attacks at the right time. But the Van der Poel we saw at the Tirreno-Adriatico, thanks to his two stage wins and more, won&#8217;t be easy to beat,&#8221; Merckx warned.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Tadej must drop him, because after 300 kilometres on Via Roma, if they were still together&#8230; the favourite would be Mathieu.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"fc841223-ea01-4c8a-82d6-d6866c92bb2a\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p4kUxfPHKdVsk8AM95SafR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The pair are glued together when they race together <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"88db18cb-35bd-41bb-ad69-073fda804a2b\">When Van der Poel won his eighth cyclocross world title, passing Erik De Vlaeminck, his brother rebuked any suggestion that the Dutchman was the greatest cyclocross rider of all time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Bloody hell, no. Not by a long shot,&#8221; Roger told <em>Het Nieuwsblad<\/em> in early February.<\/p>\n<p>Even at 78, De Vlaeminck remains as competitive as when he clashed with Merckx.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel, Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar are good riders but when I watch them I can&#8217;t enjoy myself. I want to race against those guys and beat them the way I sometimes beat Merckx,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"changing-the-cipressa-racing-3\">Changing the Cipressa racing <\/h2>\n<p id=\"d47eb320-68d4-4b3f-a846-490e2a47d9ba\">Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel&#8217;s battle to be the king of the Classics is so intense it has changed the nature of the racing.<\/p>\n<p>Milan-San Remo was traditionally dominated by the sprinters and opportunists. Poga\u010dar&#8217;s attacks have changed the race, in the same way he has snatched the Tour of Flanders from the biggest rouleurs.<\/p>\n<p>Milan-San Remo winners now need to be power climbers if they want to survive Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Cipressa and Poggio attacks. The likes of Arnaud De Lie and other sprinters are opting to stay away from Italy this spring, knowing they have little chance of victory.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"4307970c-fc5a-432f-b56c-5cab16a08d96\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xoNBjzhLoYjKyJoE3Z6gEj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Cipressa has become the most important part of the race in recent years <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"346a7e0f-c7c6-4d86-9921-2da349785a05\">Last year Poga\u010dar produced 900 watts for a minute when he launched his first attack, the Cipressa. Van der Poel matched him and even had time to grab a bidon during a second Poga\u010dar surge.<\/p>\n<p>With Ganna hanging on for dear life, they averaged 38kph for the 5.7km Cipressa climb, setting a new record time of 8:59 according to Strava.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Van der Poel&#8217;s rivalry is more friendly and Gen Z than the snarkiness of Merckx and De Vlaeminck. After last year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo they chatted behind the podium and then joked about going even faster this year.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Next year Cipressa under 8 mins?&#8221; Van der Poel said provocatively under a Velon Instagram post about their power data.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar replied: &#8220;Analysing right now, we can a bit faster, like 59s&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar recently set an unofficial new best time of 8:51 in training but that was likely to be with help from a powerful scooter that was motor pacing him. We will find out if he is faster and if Van der Poel can stay with him on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Despite a lack of the tailwind that helped Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Cipressa attack in 2025, he is expected to try to dynamite the race there, as Merckx often did as he tried to smash and grab major victories.<\/p>\n<p>However Van der Poel seems ready for Poga\u010dar&#8217;s attack, as he showed at Tirreno-Adriatico. Van der Poel seems to be setting a trap for Poga\u010dar, so that he races far too aggressively and too generously.<\/p>\n<p>UAE may try to invent a different tactic this year, perhaps even upping the speed on the Turchino but they are stuck between a rock and a hard place, in a game of chess without a final checkmate move. Van der Poel holds the better cards, can follow the most effective tactic and knows it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel knows exactly where Poga\u010dar will go, on the steepest section of the Cipressa,&#8221; Dutch cycling expert Thijs Zonneveld said in the In De Waaier podcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Van der Poel is very capable of staying on his wheel and accelerating with him. On the Cipressa, it really comes down to raw power. He &#8216;only&#8217; has to follow Poga\u010dar, and then he\u2019ll probably beat him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Advantage Van der Poel, it seems, with the Tour of Flanders and then Paris-Roubaix the rematches of the spring.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/who-will-be-king-of-the-spring-how-milan-san-remo-could-write-the-next-chapter-of-tadej-pogacar-and-mathieu-van-der-poels-thrilling-rivalry\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Teams &amp; Riders Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry Features By Stephen Farrand published 20 March 2026 Like Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck the pair have come to dominate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1838375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1838375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1838375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1838375\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1838375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1838375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1838375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}