Milano - Sanremo 2023, one day monument, March 18

[Netserk]

That path was to suck Wout's wheel when he closed the gap to Pog.

I think he is okay with losing the pulling contest.

 

[F e r o x]

Van Baarle will win RvV. Van der Poel has a massive problem now.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Possibly, but it does not look good for WvA at the moment. MvdP was able to raise his level from TA just in time for MSR and Wout was unable to do the same.

If you look at the rides he was posting on Strava, he wasn't able to train as hard as he wanted. He even indicated this last week. I think to count him out in 2 weeks is folly. He will take this disappointment as motivation.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Nobody.

But does it count when you posted it while the race was already going on?

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

I think he is okay with losing the pulling contest.

Fair. He also was at the front on the cipressa, but lets not pretend that Wout pulling him there isn't vital in his win. Without that, I think Ganna takes this one, as he was the only one on Pog's wheel.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Van Baarle will win RvV. Van der Poel has a massive problem now.

Not to forget van Aert having an even bigger problem as he's in the same team,

 

[Red Rick]

For the complaints about Group 2 dynamics, I think it didn't matter. MvdP was the strongest on the Poggio, the tailwind was huge, and he had like 6 seconds in the final 2km.

MvdP even said his legs were still great and he thought he could win the sprint even if they brought him back.

 

[Gigs_98]

I think the paradigm in 2018 was very much still that it was a sprinters race, which led to sprinters teams on the Poggio, and group dynamics being much stronger. Now more teams try to nuke the Poggio, so it's more selective as a default.

IMO there's 2 factors that play against Pogacar.

1. His sprint is very good after a super hard race. But Sanremo isn't that hard. I don't like his chance in a sprint in most groups.
2. His descending ability. I don't think he descends that great, so he's prone to downhill attacks or bleeding back time if he's solo over the Poggio.

I agree and it's also not like he had a clear path to victory today which he blew. What I claim is that he
a) shouldn't attack from the front and
b) once that attack isn't successful, don't play leadout man for whoever is left.
Would he have won had he sat up on the Poggio? Probably not. But he wouldn't have played a game leading to a certain loss. He would have had to hope for an opportunistic win, but that's just how this race is won about half of the time anyway.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The comfy couch

 

[Riek s]

For the complaints about Group 2 dynamics, I think it didn't matter. MvdP was the strongest on the Poggio, the tailwind was huge, and he had like 6 seconds in the final 2km.

MvdP even said his legs were still great and he thought he could win the sprint even if they brought him back.

VDP was clearly the strongest. The only reason WVa didn't drop pog/Ganna in the descend was because he was spend and couldn't muster enough power anymore. Ganna/Pog would have never been able to follow VDP in the descend.

 

[Netserk]

For the complaints about Group 2 dynamics, I think it didn't matter. MvdP was the strongest on the Poggio, the tailwind was huge, and he had like 6 seconds in the final 2km.

MvdP even said his legs were still great and he thought he could win the sprint even if they brought him back.

He had the whole package today. None of the chasers could do the descent nor the run-in faster than Van der Poel if it was mano a mano, I think.

 

[HelloDolly]

In recent years its seems the best descenders win MSR ...if you get a gap at all and can descend then you have it

 

[Red Rick]

The comfy couch

Van Aert and Van der Poel just trying not to look at Gannas smile

 

[noob]

The comfy couch

This pic is so priceless! Wout and MvdP turning small while Ganna stretches out around them both and takes up all space for himself

 

[Divergence]

For the complaints about Group 2 dynamics, I think it didn't matter. MvdP was the strongest on the Poggio, the tailwind was huge, and he had like 6 seconds in the final 2km.

MvdP even said his legs were still great and he thought he could win the sprint even if they brought him back.

Possibly, but the question is if Pog, Pippo and Wout were on the same team would they have brought him back. Of course one cannot think like that but I believe they might have brought him back if they truly cooperated. Additionally, MvdP was very well positioned. Pog attacked so he fired his bullet, Wout brought himself and MvdP to the front group whilst MvdP was sitting on his wheel so Wout fired his bullet there and Ganna being there was surprising in the first place so no bullets for him wither. Therefore, MvdP used the perfect moment to fire win the race.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

All the pressure on VdP for Ronde and P-R. Everyone down on Wout's chances. See you all in a couple of weeks.

 

[jono]

The comfy couch

It was funny how it was all smiles as soon as Wout got up and it was Ganna and Mathieu chatting.

What a weird position to force 3 riders into.

 

[topcat]

Van Aert and Van der Poel just trying not to look at Gannas smile

Van der Poel: I knew I’d win
Van Aert: I knew I’d lose
Ganna: I never dreamed I could podium

 

[Orbit501]

Beautiful win by MVDP. Chapeau!

Once WVA realised he wasn't bringing him back he then just seemed obsessed by not being beaten by Pogacar in the sprint for a podium spot.

Special mention for Neilson Powless. Knew he was in great form going into this race.

 

[vwpe]

Nerds really need to let go of Van eart vs MVDP its beyond stupid....andsimply has no merit and its like you havent watched cycling at all ...


MVPD has kicked his ass entire life from youth and he has continued to doing so every time it matters in road too like at this point its beyond cringe and nerd worthy to even read the comparison he has kicked van aert ass entire career and still doing it.

Van aert a stunning rider a generational talent but MVDP is and has always been a totally different beast!!

Nothing new hes done it their entire career...The top lvl of MVDP is simply unmatched and theres noone even close the the power hes able to put out when hes in top form its honestly scary how strong he is when hes on, just amazing!

 

[tobydawq]

The comfy couch

That's quite frankly disrespectful by the organisers.

 

[yaco]

Lol, 7 of the top 8 from last year was in the top 9 today.

And number 10 was the winner from 2021.

And the missing rider from the top eight was Matthews who missed with COVID.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Nerds really need to let go of Van eart vs MVDP its beyond stupid....andsimply has no merit and its like you havent watched cycling at all ...


MVPD has kicked his ass entire life from youth and he has continued to doing so every time it matters in road too like at this point its beyond cringe and nerd worthy to even read the comparison he has kicked van aert ass entire career and still doing it.

Van aert a stunning rider a generational talent but MVDP is and has always been a totally different beast!!

Nothing new hes done it their entire career...The top lvl of MVDP is simply unmatched and theres noone even close the the power hes able to put out when hes in top form its honestly scary how strong he is when hes on, just amazing!

And when he's weak, he's super weak. I loved the class Wout showed to him last year, when he pulled him in a break in the Tour, so he could save some face when he quit the race.

 

[KenFiamingo]

Sure. MVDP was also the only one to close to Pog when he first launched (6.5km to go). If he sits up there Pogacar rides away. Wout was almost out of the picture at that point.

Mathieu knows how to gamble. WVA otoh is so dutiful and reacts (as expected) whenever a fellow favorite moves. MVDP knows this and exploited it beautifully. I think Wout should put some more risk into his game. Especially when MVDP is still around.

 

[theyoungest]

Anthem went on for all 236 verses I think.

I only know the one verse.

The one where you pledge allegiance to the king of Spain and where you say that you're always been of German blood.