UAE boss Gianetti points to Pogacar’s key to beating Van der Poel at Milan-Sanremo

Pogacar has already ridden Milan-Sanremo five times, but victory has so far eluded him. For a champion like Pogi, that is unusual, given he usually finds a way to win almost everywhere he races. Twelfth in 2020, fifth in 2022, fourth in 2023, third in 2024 and third again in 2025: in La Primavera, the Slovenian has repeatedly come up just short.

Gianetti knows exactly what that means for UAE heading into Saturday. “We have waited a year for our revenge in Milan-Sanremo, whether that is for us as a team or for Tadej, of course. It is an extraordinary race, very interesting and very difficult in its simplicity. We are hugely motivated to see what will happen on Saturday between Milan and Sanremo,” he said to Cyclism'Actu.

If Pogacar wants to win the first Monument of the year, UAE will need a battle plan capable of beating, among others, Van der Poel. What does that plan look like? “First of all, you have to be stronger than the others. Tadej is very motivated; this year he has ridden one race, Strade Bianche, and he has trained hard. As always, he is a serious professional,” said the Swiss team boss.

But there is more to it than motivation alone. “The truth is that this year he has trained intensively on the Milan-Sanremo course, both to study it — even though he knows it by heart — and to motivate himself on those roads.” So the Slovenian world champion’s preparation will not be the problem.

The biggest puzzle may still be tactical: how do you get rid of Van der Poel on roads that are not especially steep? “Tactically, it remains quite complicated, because he will have to manage situations and seize opportunities. It is no secret: the best place to make the difference is on the Cipressa or the Poggio. Elsewhere, it is not easy.”

“Everyone will be watching him closely, but no one should forget Van der Poel or Ganna, who are also ready for this race,” Gianetti continued. “He needs a team that supports him, but that is difficult too, because arriving at the Cipressa with several teammates at the front is not easy. Everyone has the same objective, not just us. There are not many places at the front, so the real key is the run-in to the Cipressa.”

Pogacar will have to do it this year without Jhonatan Narvaez and Tim Wellens, who are both absent through injury. A disadvantage? “We will miss the qualities of Wellens and Narvaez in this specific race — their ability to position themselves well without using too much energy, and then still save enough for a very high pace on the Cipressa. They are experienced riders.”

Even so, Gianetti also sees opportunities, with what still looks like a very strong UAE squad on the start line. “We also have some young riders: Isaac del Toro, Jan Christen and Brandon McNulty, who have very good qualities. Maybe not the same experience, but the same ambition to perform well. So we will manage,” he said optimistically.