Milan-San Remo 2024: Van Der Poel's Stunning Victory Over Pogacar

Laila Abdi

5 min read

Post on May 26, 2025

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Van der Poel's Tactical Masterclass

Early Aggressive Riding

Mathieu van der Poel's early aggression significantly impacted the peloton in the Milan-San Remo 2024. His tactical brilliance was evident from the start.

• Attack 1 (km 150): An unexpected attack on a slight incline thinned the leading group, testing the stamina of many key contenders. This early breakaway forced several teams to chase aggressively, expending valuable energy.
• Attack 2 (km 100): Another surge, this time on a flatter section, further fragmented the peloton. This served to isolate some of Pogacar's key support riders.
• Strategic Advantage: These early attacks served as a strategic masterstroke. They not only wore down his rivals but also forced other teams to expend significant energy in the chase, effectively isolating Pogacar and making his later attacks more difficult. Van der Poel demonstrated superior tactical understanding of the race dynamics. His aggressive riding set the stage for his ultimate victory.

Powerful Sprint Finish

Van der Poel's final sprint was a display of raw power and tactical precision. He expertly navigated the final kilometers, securing a prime position before unleashing an unstoppable burst of speed.

• Positioning (final 2km): He remained sheltered within the leading group, conserving energy while observing his rivals’ moves.
• Sprint Launch (final 500m): With impeccable timing, van der Poel launched his sprint decisively, accelerating with explosive power.
• Overtaking Pogacar: He swiftly overtook Pogacar, showcasing superior speed and strength in the final stretch, securing a magnificent victory. His powerful sprint highlighted his exceptional finishing ability.

The Role of his Team

Alpecin-Deceuninck played a crucial supporting role in van der Poel's victory. Their strategic teamwork ensured van der Poel remained in contention throughout the race.

• Protection: Teammates diligently shielded van der Poel from wind and attacks, conserving his energy for the crucial final stages.
• Lead-out: In the final kilometers, Alpecin-Deceuninck provided a perfectly executed lead-out, positioning van der Poel ideally for his final sprint.
• Pacing: The team's strategic pacing throughout the race helped manage the exertion of van der Poel and kept him fresh for the decisive moments. This was key to his success in the demanding race.

Pogacar's Strong Challenge and Near Miss

Pogacar's Late Attack

Despite van der Poel's dominance, Tadej Pogacar made several valiant attempts to challenge his rival.

• Timing: Pogacar launched his primary attack on the Poggio climb, attempting to exploit the steep incline to gain a crucial advantage.
• Reaction: Van der Poel reacted swiftly and powerfully, matching Pogacar’s pace, thereby neutralizing the attack. This demonstrated van der Poel's exceptional climbing ability.
• Terrain: The steep gradients of the Poggio proved a difficult challenge for both riders, showcasing their exceptional climbing ability.

The Significance of the Cipressa and Poggio

The Cipressa and Poggio climbs played a pivotal role in shaping the race.

• Cipressa: Both riders successfully negotiated the Cipressa, maintaining their positions within the leading group.
• Poggio: The Poggio provided the setting for the decisive attack from Pogacar and the subsequent response from van der Poel. Their performance here highlighted their exceptional abilities on demanding climbs.
• Pacing Strategy: Pogacar’s pacing strategy appeared to be one of conserving energy for a final decisive attack, a strategy which almost paid off.

Analyzing the Close Finish

Although Pogacar pushed van der Poel to the limit, a few factors contributed to his second-place finish.

• Fatigue: The cumulative effects of the aggressive racing and the demanding climbs likely contributed to Pogacar’s slight fatigue in the final sprint.
• Tactical Decisions: While Pogacar's late attack was powerful, it was perhaps launched slightly too late to secure the win.
• Van der Poel's Superior Sprint: Ultimately, van der Poel’s superior sprint speed proved decisive, giving him an insurmountable advantage in the final meters.

Other Key Performances and Race Dynamics

Notable Riders and Their Performances

Several other riders delivered strong performances. While not able to challenge the top two, their contributions added to the excitement of the race. Noteworthy mentions include [Insert names and brief descriptions of other notable contenders].

Weather Conditions and their Impact

The weather conditions played a minimal role in this year’s Milan-San Remo. The race was mostly sunny and dry which contributed to high speed and aggressive racing.

Conclusion

The 2024 Milan-San Remo showcased a masterful tactical race from Mathieu van der Poel, resulting in a stunning victory over a strong challenge from Tadej Pogacar. Van der Poel's early aggression, powerful sprint, and the strategic support of his team were instrumental in his success. Pogacar’s late attack on the Poggio demonstrated his exceptional climbing ability, but ultimately, van der Poel's superior sprint secured the win. The race was a thrilling spectacle, highlighting the skill and intensity of the world's top cyclists.

Want to relive the excitement of this unforgettable Milan-San Remo? Watch the race highlights and share your thoughts on van der Poel’s stunning victory! Discuss the race and your favorite moments in the comments section below. Let’s continue the conversation about this thrilling Milan-San Remo 2024!