Whoop ages of 20.7 and 18.0: Van der Poel and Pogacar reveal intriguing clues ahead of Milan-Sanremo

One eye-catching statistic surfaced just before the riders were introduced to the crowd at Piazza della Vittoria. It came from an Instagram post by American performance company Whoop, which tracks a range of data linked to athletic condition. Not only Virgil van Dijk, Rory McIlroy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Aryna Sabalenka and LeBron James use the wearable, but Van der Poel and Pogacar do as well. According to the post, the 31-year-old Dutchman and 27-year-old Slovenian have respective “Whoop ages” of 20.7 and an astonishing 18.0.

Looking at the sharp and relaxed faces of both riders in Pavia, you could almost believe it. Both men appear in excellent condition as they prepare to face each other again on Saturday over the 300 kilometres between Pavia and Sanremo. And on Friday, both offered a few revealing thoughts about what may decide the race.

“It’s a special race, and that’s exactly what makes it so difficult to control,” said Van der Poel, already a winner this year at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and of two stages at Tirreno-Adriatico. “I’m happy with how my preparation has gone. At Tirreno-Adriatico I got the confirmation I needed, everything went according to plan and the feeling is good.”

“I think I’m close to my best shape, and after Tirreno-Adriatico I trained well, but without going overboard,” he continued. “If a small group gets away, it will probably be the strongest riders.”

“In a race like this, it’s all about being in position on the Cipressa and the Poggio, and then the legs decide it. Tactics do not play such a big role there,” said the Dutchman, who once again expects Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG to force the race. “Since UAE and Tadej started racing like that, the dynamic has changed.”

“The wind can play a crucial role in how the race unfolds, especially if there are attacks early on. But we should not expect that kind of scenario every year. Last year the wind was favourable; this year it seems a little less ideal. I think that means more riders may be able to follow, because sitting on a wheel gives you more advantage. But I could also be wrong.”

The Slovenian arrived before the press with a fresh blond hairstyle and greeted the Italian crowd enthusiastically as he looked ahead to La Primavera. One overexcited supporter, who claimed to have placed 1,000 euros on the world champion, briefly stole the spotlight. Pogacar’s answer was clear enough.

“I know nothing about gambling and I’m actually a bit against it, so: don’t do it.”

Back to the race itself. “I feel good and after Strade Bianche I spent a few days in Belgium to recon some of the Classics, but I’ve also been in this region,” said Pogacar. Asked how often, he smiled: “I didn’t count.” He explained that he had been there with Belgian teammate Florian Vermeersch and former rider Niccolò Bonifazio, king of the Cipressa descent.

“But it’s not only about me, because we also have Isaac Del Toro, who is in very good shape,” Pogacar said of the Tirreno-Adriatico winner. “But our whole team is crucial. That’s always the case in a race like Milan-Sanremo. How do I have to drop Van der Poel? By having better legs.”

According to Whoop, at least, Pogacar has the younger sporting age. Now he still has to prove he has the better legs on Saturday.