Wout van Aert may solely reward everlasting rival Mathieu van Poel on his victory at Milan-San Remo and attempt to discover solace in his personal efficiency and third place on the ultimate podium.
The Jumbo-Visma rider dragged Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) throughout to Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates) and Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) on the decisive a part of the Poggio however had no reply when Van der Poel then surged close to the summit.
Van Aert tried to steer the chase down the Poggio, however Van der Poel prolonged his lead second by second, all the way in which to the end in By way of Roma the place he celebrated a solo victory.
Ganna kicked away from Van Aert in sight of the road however the Belgian distanced Pogačar to take third.
“Mathieu confirmed all people he was tremendous sturdy. He did the sturdy transfer on the proper second. Congrats to him,” Van Aert stated after a clumsy second on a small couch as he waited for the rostrum ceremony alongside Van der Poel and Ganna.
“We raced to win and that’s additionally what Mathieu did, he was tremendous sturdy. I believe I used to be sturdy as we speak. I used to be within the remaining with the most effective guys, so I used to be pleased with that,” Van Aert added.
Van Aert maybe regretted his efforts on the Poggio, when Van der Poel was on his wheel however he noticed Pogačar going away with Ganna on his wheel and wished to be a part of the decisive assault.
“It positively was a quick race. We stored the breakaway shut, there was excessive pace the entire day,” he stated, recounting the lengthy 294km day within the saddle.
“It was possibly simpler on Cipressa than anticipated. I believe there was extra headwind than all people thought due to all of the twists and turns. Then we went with an enormous group to the Poggio. We climbed the Poggio actually quick. Wellens’ leadout for Pogačar meant it break up up early,” he defined.
“I may mark the assaults in order that simply as a very good factor however in a while when Mathieu nonetheless had one thing left, it was an excessive amount of for me.”
Van Aert was uncertain of his type when he made his season debut lower than two weeks in the past after being sick in the beginning of his angle camp in February. Nonetheless, the fatigue of Tirreno-Adriatico mixed along with his arduous work seem to have given him the shape for the spring Classics.
His efficiency quite than his outcome at Milan-San Remo was satisfying and motivating for the subsequent Monument Classics on his residence turf within the subsequent few weeks.
“I’m wanting ahead to what’s coming. The legs are there and I’m actually hungry to race extra,” Van Aert concluded.