Enlarge image
Jasper Philipsen in the final sprint
Photo:
Vincent Kalut / Photo News / IMAGO
The Belgian professional cyclist Jasper Philipsen duped the top favorites around Tadej Pogačar and secured victory in the 115th spring classic Milan-Sanremo in Italy.
After 288 kilometers in the sprint on the Via Roma, the four-time stage winner of the last Tour de France narrowly beat the Australian Michael Matthews and Pogačar from Slovenia.
"Incredible.
I can't even realize that.
Winning here is a dream,” said Philipsen, who drives for the Alpecin-Deceuninck team.
»It was a fast race, I wasn't used to sprinting after 300 kilometers.
This is one of every cyclist's dreams.
Winning it as a sprinter is incredible.” The 26-year-old crossed the finish line after around six hours and 15 minutes.
His average speed was 46.11 km/h - a record.
Pogačar, who was considered the favorite after his brilliant victory at the Strade Bianche in February, attacked on the Poggio climb shortly before the finish, but was unable to break away decisively.
Last year's winner Mathieu van der Poel closed the gap, but obviously used too much power and ended up tenth.
Teammate Philipsen, who won the green jersey at the Tour de France last year, took advantage of the opportunity.
Pogačar has big plans
»I had good legs and attacked twice.
To win, everything has to go perfectly.
But not everything was perfect,” said Pogačar, who is still missing a win in this classic.
Italy is at the top of Pogačar's agenda this year.
In May, the 25-year-old wants to triumph at the Giro for the first time and then achieve the double at the Tour de France, which begins in Florence.
Pogačar already won the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021.
None of the seven German drivers who started were able to put themselves in the spotlight.
The last victory was won by John Degenkolb in 2015, but the Thuringian was not there this time.
Erik Zabel achieved the greatest successes from a German perspective with four victories between 1997 and 2001.
mlb/sid/dpa/Reuters