Van der Poel ‘more than good enough’ heading to Milan-San Remo, but: ‘I’d rather win Flanders for a fourth time than San Remo for a third’

Milan-San Remo is Van der Poel’s first major target of the year. He already won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in February, but the first Monument of the season carries more weight. “I think my form is more than good enough,” he explained to VTM Nieuws. “I’m happy with the preparation I’ve had. Next week I need to do more or less the same as last year, with a few accents here and there. Then it should be fine.”

Van der Poel struck immediately in Tirreno, winning stage two, the first road stage. After that victory on the gravel, he did it again two days later, this time with a dominant sprint from a reduced favorites group. “I’m very happy with my performances this week. I also felt pretty good on the climbs. Yesterday, without having to go too deep, I was able to stay with the first group for a long time.”

The world champion from Glasgow is also pleased with the work of his teammates. Heading toward San Remo, there should be no doubts about their strength either. “They are in good shape as well. In the classics, we are a team that is often there at the right moments. That has worked in recent years, so I assume it should work again this year with these riders.”

So, is Van der Poel better than ever? “That is always a difficult question. I think I’m simply at a very good level, but to say right now that I’m in the best shape of my life... I don’t know. But I’m definitely very happy with it,” he explained. In Tirreno, there are plenty of riders — Wout van Aert, Isaac del Toro and others — who will also line up at La Primavera. Van der Poel is therefore not the only one using the race as preparation.

But there are bigger prizes than San Remo for the 31-year-old Dutchman. He could win the longest classic of the year for a third time, but his biggest goals come in April. The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix remain the real high points of his spring. “I think I would still rather win Flanders for a fourth time than San Remo for a third,” he said honestly.

Back to San Remo. Van der Poel cannot do much more than arrive there at his level, but he also has to take both Pogačar and the weather into account. “The legs need to be there, but the weather conditions also need to be right. Not necessarily dry or rain, but especially the wind. That can play a crucial role in UAE’s plan to attack with Tadej on the Cipressa.”

Pogačar went all in on the Cipressa last year. It was an acceleration unlike anything seen before there, but Van der Poel — along with Filippo Ganna — was able to follow the world champion. Will the Slovenian try something different this time? “I expect more or less the same as in previous years. Last year Tadej came very close, but the wind needs to be favorable if he wants to do it again the way he did last year.”