If some groups have determined not to place all their eggs in a single basket for this Milan-San Remo 2021 – and specifically the Deceuninck-Quick Step of Julian Alaphilippe and of Sam bennett – Training Alpecin-Fenix will solely have eyes for one runner on Saturday, Mathieu van der Poel. While she may have determined to line up her sprinters Tim merlier and Jasper philipsen alongside the Dutchman, the sports activities administration ofAlpecin-Fenix opted for one more technique by deciding on Dries De Bondt, Petr Vakoc, Otto Vergaerde, Gianni Vermeersch, Senne Leysen and Kristian sbaragli. These six runners will likely be chargeable for supporting their chief throughout the 299 kilometers of the race.
Video – Van der Poel: “Ready and in good shape for Milan-San Remo”
Van der Poel winner 60 years after Poupou?
Yes Mathieu van der Poel got here to win the Primavera Saturday, he would imitate his illustrious grandfather Raymond Poulidor, who had received this occasion 60 years earlier, to the day. “It would be a great story to tell. I had seen this information on social networks but it will not add an additional emotion: It would be huge enough to win San Remo like that “, mentioned the Dutchman at a press convention in remarks reconciled by the RTBF.
“The probability of losing is always greater than that of winning”
Obviously, given its current efficiency, Van der Poel is taken into account the large favourite of the race. “It would be nice to win San Remo. Van Aert has the advantage of having already won once, for him it will be easier. But it will be a new race. Normally, the strongest always wins there. Is it the hardest to win? It is one of the most difficult, there are not many places to force the race. You have to make a difference in the Poggio. The Poggio is difficult to make a big difference. After 300 kilometers, the one who wins the sprint is the strongest “, he defined. “I’ve been in this situation before (of being the big favorite). I’m just trying to win the race and if I don’t, I’ll have more chances. There are races that I will never win. You have to be honest. The probability of losing a race is always greater than the probability of winning. “
“You have to be careful not to fall asleep”
Especially since he does not appear to notably like Milan-San Remo, a really lengthy race the place it’s tough to remain targeted on a regular basis for 300 kilometers. “During the first 150 kilometers, care must be taken not to fall asleep. These are not my kind of races. It’s a really closed race. To pass the time I look around and talk to other runners. It lasts a very long time before we start the race. It is a particular exercise to ride 300km, so we have to adapt “, he concluded.
The Alpecin-Fenix staff for Milan-San Remo (Saturday March 20)
Dries De Bondt (BEL), Senne Leysen (BEL), Kristian Sbaragli (ITA), Petr Vakoc (RTC), Mathieu van der Poel (NED), Otto Vergaerde (BEL), Gianni Vermeersch (BEL),
🠇 ®ðŸ ‡ ¹ #MilanoSanremo
Here’s our lineup for La Classicissima, the primary Monument of the 2021 season! 🠔µï¿½ ‘ pic.twitter.com/T7ySuKIlKV
– Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) March 18, 2021