Tadej Pogačar’s near-miss at Milan-San Remo on Saturday marked another setback in his pursuit of the prestigious victory, despite yet another display of relentless aggression. The Slovenian rider, world champion and part of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad, continues to fall short at the race, finishing third for the second consecutive year.
Pogačar’s record at the event is undeniably impressive — fifth, fourth, third, and third over the past four editions — but the one thing missing from his resume is the win that would elevate his achievements to legendary status. On Saturday, Pogačar attacked multiple times, especially on the Cipressa climb, but was unable to break free from the clutches of Mathieu van der Poel and Filippo Ganna. The two rivals stayed with him through repeated efforts, and Van der Poel eventually triumphed in the sprint, with Ganna securing second place ahead of Pogačar.
In a race where the world’s best climbers and sprinters battle for dominance, Pogačar, known for his explosive power, couldn’t create enough of a gap on the key climbs. His UAE teammates, Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narváez, helped set the pace on the Cipressa, but it wasn’t enough to shake off Van der Poel and Ganna.
Reflecting on the outcome, Pogačar acknowledged Van der Poel’s superior strength on the day. “Mathieu was the fastest, so ‘chapeau’ to him,” he said. “He was just so strong today, and Pippo [Ganna] too. I have to be satisfied with third.”
Despite the disappointment, Pogačar remained upbeat, focusing on the progress made by his team. “We did everything possible, not just me,” he said. “I can be really proud about how we rode today. Every year we do better, and we showed more aggression and more willpower on the Cipressa. Today we did an amazing race.”
The Slovenian rider expressed his belief that, while his efforts were strong, the race’s dynamics and the competition’s strength made the victory elusive. “I tried to go alone on the Cipressa, but it would be really optimistic for it to work,” he admitted. “I was also happy to go away with Mathieu and Filippo.”
Pogačar also offered a candid assessment of the race’s final climbs, highlighting the challenge of making a decisive move on the Poggio. “I would prefer if the Poggio was 5km at 10%, but it is what it is,” he said. “It’s a hard race for me to make the difference. The law of physics is playing here and you cannot do magic.”
With another near-miss under his belt, Pogačar remains determined to continue his pursuit of Milan-San Remo. “I don’t hate Milan-San Remo, but one year it needs to go right,” he said, hinting at his resolve to return next year. “For sure we will come for more next year.”
While Pogačar’s string of top finishes is impressive, it is clear that he longs for that elusive victory. By contrast, Van der Poel has already secured two victories, alongside a series of consistent performances, including a first-place finish this year. The Dutch rider’s San Remo record, featuring finishes of fifth, third, first, tenth, and first, remains a standout achievement in the sport.
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