Mathieu Van der Poel's season has started in the best possible way, but the Dutchman is ready to do even better. Milan-San Remo is a unique and extraordinary race for the Dutchman and tomorrow he could win the Spring Classic for the third time.

"It's a special race, and that's precisely what makes it so difficult to control," said Mathieu van der Poel. "I'm happy with how my preparation has gone. During Tirreno-Adriatico I had the confirmation I needed, everything went according to plan and the sensations are good. In a race like this, it's only sensations and form that matter".

Winning San Remo is difficult and often even the predictions have failed to accurately anticipate the name of the possible winner.

"Strategy is important but only up to a certain point and it will be crucial to be in the perfect position on the Cipressa and the Poggio, and then it will be the legs that decide. There isn't much room for tactics".

Van der Poel won San Remo in 2023 and 2025, and in tomorrow's race he expects a scenario similar to the last edition, with an aggressive race already on the Cipressa. "Since UAE and Tadej Pogacar started racing this way, the dynamics have changed. If a small group goes away, it will probably be the strongest riders who arrive alone. The wind can play a crucial role in how the race unfolds, especially if attacks come early".

Milan-San Remo is a race with multiple possible scenarios, from attacks on the climbs to a reduced bunch sprint on Via Roma. Alpecin-Premier Tech arrives at the first Monument of the season with ambition and awareness of the difficulties that will be in the race because there are many riders who can arrive first on Via Roma.

"At Tirreno I saw that the team is ready to put me in the perfect position for when I need to give my best. It's something we've managed very well in recent years and I don't expect anything different this time".

Among the riders of this moment, Van der Poel has been the only one capable of winning Monument Classics that are so difficult and unique.

"Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are all unique in their own way. Last year's edition proved exactly why this race is so special. What happened in 2025 can happen again, and that's what makes it such an extraordinary race".