Mathieu van der Poel 'disappointed' after racing return at Milan-San Remo ends in podium finish
The Dutchman says his third place was another missed opportunity but was pleased with status of back injury


Third place at Milan-San Remo is no mean feat, and third place at Milan-San Remo in your first race of the season is almost unthinkable. But Mathieu van der Poel doesn't do just normal bike racing, and so his place on the final step of podium has left him disgruntled following what he called 'a missed chance' for victory.
Having suffered with a back injury since his crash at the Olympics mountain bike race in August 2021, Van der Poel has spent much of the winter recovering and was a late replacement in the Alpecin-Fenix line-up for Milan-San Remo.
>>> Matej Mohorič says he used dropper post on his bike at Milan-San Remo
This is also just the third time the Dutchman has raced the first Monument of the year - notoriously one of the most difficult to win - and this is his best result so far having previously finished 13th and fifth in 2020 and 2021 respectively. There was nothing he could do in the 2022 edition though to prevent Matej Mohorič (Bahrain-Victorious) from soloing to victory though, with a chase group that included Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) unable to work cohesively enough to close in on the Slovenian lone-leader after he had distanced them on the descent of the Poggio.
Van der Poel was however able to outsprint the rest of the chase group for third place after Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) had clipped off the front to take second.
"I'm still disappointed," Van der Poel said. "I think from maybe the biggest favourites I won the sprint for third place. It's a shame we couldn't sprint for victory today but that's Milan-San Remo. A few times it went like this already and it's just a difficult race to win.
"We all know that Matej Mohorič can do quick descents. But I thought the group was big enough also to close the gap when we were down. I think he deserves it as well, it's strong if you can maintain a gap until the finish line."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Van der Poel bemoaned the lack of cooperation in the chase group, which aided Mohorič's escape to victory, but added he was content with the feeling of his injury which hadn't caused him any issues in the near-300km race.
"Also it was a bit of lack of cooperation," he said. "We were two riders with Pedersen and Van Aert that really tried to close the gap. We needed one or two team-mates to close it with us, but that's racing.
"I'm really happy with the feeling and I didn't have any pain in the back, so that's a positive thing about today."
Still, Van der Poel considered the situation another opportunity victory wasted, and much to the chagrin of everyone over his age of 27, said he was running out of chances to claim a historic win at the Italian Classic.
"I hope so," Van der Poel said on returning to Milan-San Remo for victory. "But I'm getting old as well, so this is a missed chance again."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
'This is the marriage venue, no?': how one rider ran the whole gamut of hallucinations in a single race
Kabir Rachure's first RAAM was a crazy experience in more ways than one, he tells Cycling Weekly's Going Long podcast
By James Shrubsall
-
Full Tour of Britain Women route announced, taking place from North Yorkshire to Glasgow
British Cycling's Women's WorldTour four-stage race will take place in northern England and Scotland
By Tom Thewlis
-
Mathieu van der Poel's history charge, the crucial Oude Kwaremont, and Lotte Kopecky time: Everything you need to know about the Tour of Flanders
The Tour of Flanders finally comes on Sunday, here's how to watch, who to watch, and what to watch out for
By Adam Becket
-
How to watch Milan-San Remo 2025: Everything you need to live stream the first Monument of the season
All the key information on broadcasters and live streams for Milan-San Remo on March 22, the first Monument of the cycling season.
By Tom Davidson
-
Tadej Pogačar's quest for glory, San Remo Women is here, and will a sprinter win? Everything you need to know about Milan-San Remo
Milan-San Remo and San Remo Women kick off the Monuments on Saturday, here's how to watch, who to watch, and what to watch out for
By Adam Becket
-
'Winning is a dream' - Suspense builds for return of women's Milan-San Remo after 20 years
Race's comeback marks a new milestone, say riders
By Tom Davidson
-
No Paris-Roubaix or Tour of Flanders for Tom Pidcock as he confirms spring calendar
AlUla Tour winner set to ride Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo for Q36.5
By Tom Thewlis
-
Women's Milan-San Remo confirmed for 2025, route and distance unknown
UCI announces addition to Women's WorldTour calendar, meaning four of the five men's Monuments now have women's equivalents
By Adam Becket
-
Mathieu van der Poel not intimidated by Tadej Pogačar’s form ahead of Milan-San Remo clash
Dutchman starts his 2024 road season at Italian Monument on Saturday
By Tom Thewlis
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis