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In the lead-up to Saturday's Milan-San Remo, our very own Dane Cash wrote that Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was "yet to show top form on the road in 2023". He was right – 15th at Strade Bianche (a race he previously won) and a best of 13th in Tirreno-Adriatico stages (where he's previously won multiple stages) hardly spoke of a man in top form. And yet, when it comes to Mathieu van der Poel, it's hard to put too much stock in what's come before.
The Dutchman said on Saturday evening that he knew he wasn't at his best at Tirreno-Adriatico and that he needed a few race days to get to his "best level". Turns out, that plan worked perfectly – at Milan-San Remo, his "best level" was enough to get into an incredibly powerful lead group on the decisive Poggio climb, then burst away from that group just before the top.
Just look at Van der Poel go, bursting away from a two-time Tour de France champion, a two-time world time trial champion, and the sport's best all-rounder:
Van der Poel led over the top of the Poggio then sailed back down to the coast alone to win his first Milan-San Remo. It was a masterful performance from a man whose career is defined by such performances. A win that comes 62 years after his grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, also won solo into San Remo.
With that, let's take a look back at Saturday's 114th edition of Milan-San Remo courtesy of some wonderful photos from Belgian photographer Kristof Ramon.
Matej Mohorič came into the race as defending champion after his scintillating escape 12 months ago.Forever in the top favourites, Caleb Ewan started his sixth Milan-San Remo with ambitions of improving on his two runner-up finishes.After cutting his career short last year due to a heart condition, Colbrelli has remained in the sport. He is now an ambassador with his former team.Respect among champions.A bored Mathieu van der Poel awaits the team presentation, a day out from the race.Tadej's trademark tufts? Tick.The peloton sets out on its 294 km journey.From the outskirts of Milan the race headed south towards the coast.A breakaway got up the road and, as usual, led until the decisive final climbs.Julian Alaphilippe offers a helping hand on the way down the Passo del Turchino – the race's longest climb and descent, but one that comes so early it doesn't affect the outcome.Out on the coast, the riders headed south-west towards San Remo.Nothing says Milan-San Remo more than iconic shots of riders weaving their way along the Mediterranean coast.The windy run-in to San Remo is synonymous with a high tempo in the lined-out bunch.It also tends to mean crashes as riders jostle for position. Some seemingly unmarked street furniture caused this crash involving Sam Bennett and others.The riders hit the final and most decisive climb of the day: the Poggio.As predicted, Tadej Pogačar attacked on the Poggio.It was an elite four-rider group that formed following Pogačar's attack: Pogačar himself, Filippo Ganna, Wout van Aert, and Mathieu van der Poel. Van der Poel would attack not far from the summit ...... riding away alone to win his third Monument.Ganna broke clear late to take second, ahead of Van Aert and Pogačar.A stacked podium, with a two-time Tour de France winner just behind.What next for Van der Poel? A third Flanders win? A first Paris-Roubaix?
As a little bonus to finish up with, here's the most entertaining image to come out of the whole race ...
