Mathieu van der Poel captured the Milan-San Remo title on Saturday, March 22, 2025, marking his second Monument victory after an exhilarating race that saw fierce competition from Tadej Pogačar and Filippo Ganna. Known as the 'Primavera,' the race unfolded under challenging conditions, beginning in the rain of Pavia before transitioning to sunny skies as riders approached the Ligurian coast.
With 289 kilometers on the line, the race included an eight-man breakaway that initially carved out a gap of just under four minutes from the peloton. The breakaway featured cyclists like Mathis Le Berre and Alessandro Verre from Arkéa-B&B Hotels, Baptiste Veistroffer from Lotto, and others representing smaller teams. However, the peloton, led by teams including Ineos Grenadiers and UAE Team Emirates, aggressively began to reel them in as the race hit the halfway point.
As the riders entered the final climbs, particularly the Cipressa and Poggio, the tension escalated dramatically. Tadej Pogačar, eager to secure his first Milan-San Remo victory, launched an offensive about 25 km from the finish line during the Cipressa climb. His explosive moves initially caught both Van der Poel and Ganna off-guard, forcing them to muster all their strength to keep pace.
Pogačar’s attacks were relentless. He continued to push on the steep slopes of the Poggio, attempting to shake off Van der Poel and Ganna, but neither could break away. The trio eventually crested the Poggio together, with Ganna showing remarkable resilience after being distanced earlier in the race. The dramatic final moments of the race saw Van der Poel strategically hold back, biding his time for the perfect moment to sprint.
With the finish line beckoning, Van der Poel launched a powerful sprint from the front with approximately 300 meters to go. His timing proved impeccable as Pogačar and Ganna struggled to catch up. Van der Poel’s victory cemented his reputation as a formidable force in cycling, earning him his second title at Milan-San Remo, previously won in 2023.
After the race, Van der Poel expressed his disbelief and jubilation, stating, “Just winning Milan-San Remo is special but beating these two incredible riders, I’m super happy and proud to be on the podium with them.” Despite a valiant effort, Pogačar was left to reflect on another near miss, finishing in third place. He stated, “We did everything possible… I can be really proud about how we rode today.”
The women's race, which had not been held since 2005, saw European champion Lorena Wiebes claim victory, edging out the legendary Marianne Vos. The race was a significant milestone as it marked the first women's Milan-San Remo in 20 years, further emphasizing the growing recognition of women’s cycling.
As the dust settled on a race that blended tradition, competition, and the spirit of cycling, the 2025 Milan-San Remo concluded with Van der Poel’s triumph, another chapter in the storied legacy of this iconic event.
