Zonneveld sees many opportunities for Van der Poel in Milan-Sanremo: "Even more than for Pogacar"

Two years ago, Mathieu van der Poel won Milan-Sanremo. Last year, he helped his teammate Jasper Philipsen take the victory. For this year’s edition, everything seems to be lining up once again for the Dutchman to play a major role, according to cycling journalist Thijs Zonneveld. In the In Het Wiel podcast, Zonneveld even calls Van der Poel the top favorite for Milan-Sanremo.

While Van der Poel started his 2023 season directly at Milan-Sanremo, this year he opted for more racing in the lead-up to the first Monument of the spring. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider had a strong start, winning the Belgian one-day race Le Samyn. He then fine-tuned his form at Tirreno-Adriatico, where he showed himself multiple times with a strong finale, though he couldn’t convert his efforts into a stage win. For example, in stage four, Van der Poel was beaten in the sprint by fellow Dutchmen Olav Kooij and Rick Pluimers. The next day, he won the bunch sprint, but early breakaway rider Fredrik Dversnes had already sealed the victory by outsmarting everyone.

Although the icing on the cake was missing, Van der Poel looked back on a solid week in Italy and was satisfied with his progress. "He was looking for the last few percentage points," said Zonneveld, who noted that Van der Poel was still putting in serious work on the final day of Tirreno-Adriatico. "He even attacked in the last stage! Everyone knew it was going to end in a sprint, but he still broke away with Kévin Vauquelin and a few others. The first hour was ridden at an average of 54 km/h, so I’m sure some guys were pretty happy with him," Zonneveld joked.

Read more below the photo.

Van der Poel did not shy away from going full gas in the Tirreno-Adriatico.

Zonneveld: "When Van der Poel says he’ll be ready, he means it"

Despite Van der Poel’s aggressive racing, Thijs Zonneveld wasn’t entirely convinced by his performances throughout Tirreno-Adriatico. The weather may have played a role, as the riders endured several stages of heavy rain. "I didn’t think he was particularly strong in the rain—he even disappointed me a little," Zonneveld admitted. "He lacked the punch to drop someone like Filippo Ganna, and he was caught fairly easily. In that sprint on stage four, he was also completely outclassed by Olav Kooij. Kooij had way more punch. Sure, Van der Poel had done more work in the final, but still."

However, as the weather improved, so did Van der Poel’s form. "Once it dried up, you could see the punch and sharpness returning," Zonneveld observed. "That makes sense, because the cold reduces explosiveness for a lot of riders—not everyone is built like Mads Pedersen. I think Van der Poel will be just fine. If he sets his mind on performing well in a race, he delivers." Zonneveld pointed to past experience as proof. "Two years ago, he was mediocre in Tirreno, but he said he'd be ready for Sanremo—and he was. This time, he was already much better in Tirreno-Adriatico."

Read more below the photo.

Van der Poel had to deal with a lot of rain in the Tirreno-Adriatico.

Zonneveld: "Even more so than for Pogacar"

Thijs Zonneveld believes that Mathieu van der Poel is the man to beat in Milan-Sanremo. According to the cycling journalist, the course perfectly suits his strengths. "Van der Poel is one of the top favorites in every scenario. If the Cipressa is fast, if the Cipressa is slow but the Poggio is fast, he’s still the top favorite. If it ends in a 15-rider sprint, if he’s left alone with Pogacar, if it comes down to the descent... there are just so many ways he can win. Even more than for Pogacar, in my opinion."

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