Van der Poel wins Milan-San Remo, podium finish for UAE's Pogacar

Mathieuvan der Poel won Milan-San Remo on Saturday to claim the cycling season's opening “Monument” race for the second time, denying Tadej Pogacar in a gripping finale on the Italian Riviera.

- 

Dutchman Van der Poel edged a three-man battle with Slovene superstar Pogacar and local hope Filippo Ganna that came down to the final few hundred metres after 289 kilometres of racing.

Van der Poel snapped a 17-year run of different winners by adding to his success in the seaside town of San Remo two years ago, when he also saw off Pogacar and Ganna - as well as Wout Van Aert - on the Via Roma.

The 30-year-old stayed with Pogacar as the world champion repeatedly tried to go it alone. Van der Poel then launched a long sprint before crossing the line triumphant.

"It's hard to believe, I was really focused on trying to get the win. We knew Tadej was going to be really strong but I felt really good actually at the end," said Van der Poel.

"I knew the other two wanted to make it a long sprint because they probably thought I was going to make it as short as possible, so I think I surprised them a bit when on the 300 metre sign I launched my sprint.

"I felt strong enough to keep it until the finish line and it was the right tactic."