Jasper Philipsen 'begged' Mathieu van der Poel for help, thanked team-mate after Milano-Sanremo win

ByThe Editorial Team

Published 17/03/2024 at 10:17 GMT

Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Jasper Philipsen celebrated his Milano-Sanremo victory but paid tribute to his team-mate Mathieu van der Poel for his decision to sacrifice his own shot at glory by instead giving the Belgian a chance to sprint to victory in Italy. Last year Van der Poel won the race but he acknowledged later that he was satisfied to go with plan B to help Philipsen.

Jasper Philipsen celebrated his victory at Milano-Sanremo, but revealed it played out after he begged his team-mate Mathieu van der Poel for assistance.

At last year’s race, Van der Poel stormed to an impressive solo victory, but 12 months on he elected to work with his Alpecin-Deceuninck team-mate to help the Belgian claim a win.

With two kilometres remaining, he reeled in Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious), Matteo Sobrero (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) to allow Philipsen a chance to sprint to victory.

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Philipsen said the plan was hatched following the final climb of the gruelling race.

"On the descent of the Poggio I begged Mathieu on the radio not to work with [Tadej] Pogacar because I had great legs," Philipsen said after his win. "I have to thank him for what he did.

"I think he did a wonderful job bringing back all the attacks and keeping it back for a sprint.

"We can be so proud as a team to win Milan-Sanremo twice."

Van der Poel had planned to get to the finish alongside Tadej Pogacar but revealed how he had worked with Philipsen instead.

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"Oh, how I would have loved to have ridden to the finish with Tadej," Van der Poel explained. "But then Jasper immediately indicated that he still had good legs. We are always honest with each other and fortunately, I was able to chase Mohoric and the others. I had to do it, there was no time to linger.

"We can be very proud of our team. It is not easy to win this Monument two years in a row. Of course, I'd rather win myself, but I can enjoy this too."

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Philipsen added he felt nerves once Van der Poel committed to help him with his own shot.

"I was really afraid because I didn't want to f*** up," he said. "I've f****** up sprints this year and so if I'd lost this one it would have been a missed opportunity for the rest of my life.

"Mathieu is the last guy to think about himself, he likes to help his team-mates, like I helped him at last year's Paris-Roubaix.

"I'll always remember and be thankful for what he did to give me a chance to win a Monument. I might never get the chance again in my career."

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