For a moment, it looked like Tadej Pogačar had broken cycling to win the 2025 Milano-Sanremo.

He attacked twice on the Cipressa—blowing the race apart earlier than anyone expected—and then four more times on the Poggio. Each effort more explosive than the last. Each one threatening to finally snap the elastic. But not even that was enough to shake Mathieu van der Poel.

And just when it seemed Pogacar had the Dutchman isolated, Filippo Ganna clawed his way back from the brink—first hanging on by threads over the Cipressa, then getting dropped on the Poggio, only to descend like a meteor and rejoin the front just before Sanremo.

But Van der Poel was simply too cold, too calculating, and too strong.

With the finish line in sight on Via Roma, he launched early, before anyone was ready. Ganna and Pogacar could only watch as the world champion took his second Milano-Sanremo victory—adding to his 2023 title and cementing his legend in the race that always teases, but rarely delivers fireworks like this.

"It's hard to believe," van der Poel said. 

"I knew Tadej was the strongest on the climbs—he was already impressive on the Cipressa. When it came down to the three of us, the cooperation was actually quite good, because, of course, we were all fighting for podium spots. I knew my finish would be at the top of the Poggio with Tadej. I expected him to try and drop me there, but I felt strong. I hoped I could counter, but he was strong enough to bring me back.

"I had the feeling both of them wanted to make it a long sprint. I think they expected me to wait and make it short and explosive. But when I saw the 300-meter sign, I launched my sprint. I felt strong enough to hold it to the finish, and I think it was the right tactic.

"Just winning Sanremo is special. But beating those two? I mean, they’re both incredible riders. It’s a real honor to share the podium with them. I don’t really know what to say—I'm just super happy."

The Race That Finally Exploded

It started to burn on the Cipressa. Pogacar, clearly unwilling to wait, hit out twice—drawing Ganna and Van der Poel into a high-stakes game much earlier than expected. The peloton shredded. The favorites were isolated. It was no longer a waiting game—it was survival.

By the Poggio, Ganna had been distanced again, but refused to give up. Behind, chaos. Ahead, drama.

Pogacar threw everything he had at Van der Poel, attacking relentlessly on the iconic climb. But the Dutchman matched him pedal stroke for pedal stroke—and then, on the descent, began to assert himself.

Ganna was heroic. Gapped, out of it, and somehow still believing—he descended with surgical precision and caught the leading duo just before the flat run-in. The three of them, champions in their own right, stared down the final kilometers together.

But Van der Poel made no mistake. He didn’t wait. He didn’t blink.

The Final Blow

With around 300 meters to go, Van der Poel launched. Ganna reacted. Pogacar tried to hang on. But neither had the legs left. After a tactical masterpiece and a monument-worthy sprint, Van der Poel crossed the line with daylight between him and the rest.

Pogacar finishes third—emptying the tank, animating the race, and once again walking away without the Sanremo prize he so desperately wants. Ganna, in second, wins hearts for his grit and style.

But today belongs to Van der Poel. Again.

The Pogacar Plan

"Yes, we stuck to the plan. We did a perfect job," said Pogacar. "The team was amazing, and I gave everything on the Cipressa. Of course, going solo would've been really optimistic—I tried, but I was happy to end up with Mathieu and Pippo. It was a really strong group. I tried again on the Poggio, but I knew I needed to start early. Mathieu was just so strong today, and so was Pippo. I have to be satisfied with third place, but we'll be back next year for more.

Pogacar said he was a little surprised by van der Poel's attack at 300 meters out. "But I think we all had the same idea—to start sprinting at around 300 meters. We all went at the same time, more or less. Maybe it was the tailwind and the slight downhill on Via Roma—it's really fast, so 300 meters doesn't feel that long. 

"I don't hate [this race]. It was another great edition, and we gave it everything. One year, it needs to go [our way]."