Matxin puts end to speculation about Pogacar and Roubaix: "The decision has already been made"

Tadej Pogacar is the top favorite for Milan-Sanremo on Saturday. The Slovenian will make his comeback in La Primavera after his crash in Strade Bianche and will hit the ground running. UAE Emirates-XRG sports director Matxin talks to Relevo about the first Monument of the 2025 cycling season.

Pogacar sees Milan-Sanremo as one of his most challenging races to win, which his manager agrees with. "One thing is clear: it is a race that lasts more than six hours and is 290 kilometers long, with an average speed of 46 kilometers per hour. And then it is often decided in five minutes. That makes it a special race because, in those five minutes, many riders of the same quality are present."

"Whether it's Mathieu van der Poel, Jhonatan Narváez or Mads Pedersen...," Matxin continues. "Riders like Jasper Philipsen and Michael Matthews were also there last year. We also have Filippo Ganna, for example. I don't think we should exclude any of these good cyclists, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if they were in the mix for the win in those decisive five minutes on the Poggio."

The Spaniard does not want to reveal his tactics just yet. "There are many possibilities, but the intensity will ultimately be determined during the race itself. Last year, the average speed was 46 kilometers per hour. That means that considering climbs, sprinting opportunities, and such, 80 percent of the time, the speed will be over fifty kilometers per hour."

Read more below the photo!

Pogacar has already decided on his Roubaix program with UAE Emirates-XRG

After Milan-Sanremo, Pogacar will go to Flanders. He also recently showed up during a recon for Roubaix. Will he participate in that race as well? "That decision has already been made. At least in terms of sports, because the team has yet to communicate it. Everything you hear and read now is speculation. Our communications department will communicate it when the time is right."

For Pogacar himself, Sanremo will be the first race after his crash in Strade Bianche. "It's true that I suffered from muscle pain and discomfort for the first two days after the crash. But anyway, we saw a small improvement every day." Meanwhile, Pogacar has already said that he is doing fine. "I don't know if it's 100%, but he'll be fine. You've seen the level he's been playing at lately, and he'll be in good shape for Sanremo."

Read also

🎥 After Strade crash, Pogacar tells fan during Milan-Sanremo recon that he's back: "I feel great"

Preview: Milan-Sanremo 2025 | The only monument where the weather report matters more than the legs

"The people who ruined me are paying a heavy price"; Wiggins back on track – thanks to Armstrong

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe