Van der Poel's Poggio masterclass

Dutchman sets fastest time going up and breaks for victory on the descent

- Vern Pitt

Fittingly for the longest race on the professional calendar Mathieu van der Poel's victory at Milan-San Remo on Saturday was a story best told by the numbers.

There were personal numbers like 62, the number of years since the AlpecinDeceuninck rider's grandfather, French legend Raymond Poulidor, won the same race. There were patriotic numbers like 38, the number of years since another Dutchman, Hennie Kuiper had won La Primavera.

There were also numbers summing up the ferocity and power of the race itself, from the average speed of 45.773 kph, the second fastest edition, to the finale itself. According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport's analysis of video footage van der Poel averaged 39.18kph up the Poggio climb for a time of 3-40, the fastest it has been raced.

But in the end it was the number one; one attack, from one man, who finished alone that defined the race.

Launchpad

Tadej Pogačar had ignited the rush for the line with his attack up the Poggio climb, under 10km from the finish, only to have van der Poel then come over the top and hit the Poggio descent on his own, where he extended his slender lead.