Alpecin-Premier Tech lines up on Saturday for Milano-Sanremo with confidence and ambition, aiming to extend an already remarkable run in La Primavera. After victories in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the team is chasing a fourth consecutive win in one of cycling’s most prestigious Monuments.

While the achievement underlines the team’s strength in recent years, both Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen are well aware that repeating success in Milano-Sanremo is never straightforward.

Tactics

“It’s a special race, and that’s exactly what makes it so difficult to control,” says Mathieu van der Poel. “I’m happy with how my preparation has gone. During Tirreno-Adriatico, I got the confirmation I needed, everything went according to plan and the feeling is good. On a race like this, that’s what matters: being in position on the Cipressa and the Poggio, and then it’s the legs that decide. Not a lot of tactics come into play.”

Van der Poel, winner in 2023 and 2025, expects a similar race scenario to recent edition, with aggressive racing already on the Cipressa. “Since UAE and Tadej Pogacar started racing this way, the dynamic has changed. If a small group goes clear, it will likely be the strongest riders. The wind can play a crucial role in how the race unfolds, especially if attacks come early.”

Jasper Philipsen, who triumphed in 2024, approaches the race from what he describes as a 'luxury position' within the team. “Mathieu is our absolute leader and one of the few riders capable of following and countering someone like Pogacar,” Philipsen explains. “For me, it’s about staying patient. If an opportunity presents itself in the finale, I’ll try to take it.”

Milano-Sanremo is too beautiful to let slip

After a strong Tirreno-Adriatico and a confidence-boosting victory in Nokere Koerse, Philipsen feels ready, while remaining realistic about the challenge ahead. "Winning Milano-Sanremo always requires everything to fall into place. For me, the chances are small, but it’s worth continuing to believe. The race is simply too beautiful to let slip.”

With multiple potential race scenarios, from early attacks on the climbs to a reduced sprint on Via Roma, Alpecin-Premier Tech heads into the first Monument of the season with both ambition and awareness of the difficulty of the task. “In Tirreno, I also saw that the team is ready to position me perfectly for the moment where I have to do it myself,” says Van der Poel. “That’s something we’ve managed very well in recent years, and I expect nothing different this time.”

“Milano-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are all unique in their own way,” Van der Poel concludes. “Last year’s edition showed exactly why this race is so special. What happened then can happen again, that’s what makes it such a great race.”

Foto: © Mr.Pinko