Mathieu Van Der Poel, Filippo Ganna and Tadej Pogacar, this is the podium of the last Milan-Sanremo. Tomorrow the 117th edition of the Spring Classic will start from Pavia and the cards will be shuffled again, in the infinite array of probabilities and unexpected events that make the Sanremo race fascinating and unique. However, the results and performances of the three riders who reached the podium last year have held sway. Van Der Poel and his victory at Omloop Nieuwsblad, then the two stages at Tirreno-Adriatico and the uphill action in the final stage. Ganna and the Camaiore time trial, an important signal. And finally Pogacar, with yet another masterpiece on dirt roads of Siena.
Performances monstre which we wanted to analyze together with a technician, to understand what signals were sent by the three tenors of SanremoWe talked about it with Pino Toni, and the Tuscan trainer has clear ideas.
«They are all three very well – he tells us – they have demonstrated it quite clearlyVan Der Poel and Ganna passed through Tirreno-Adriatico, while Pogacar preferred to make a different type of approach».
Let's start from here: can those who made the Tirreno be a step ahead?
I wouldn't say so, especially if we consider these three riders. Tadej Pogacar has shown that he knows how to prepare himself well even when training alone, at homeIn the past, not racing in Tirreno-Adriatico or Paris-Nice was a limitation, but not anymore. It's not easy to simulate an effort like that of Sanremo, staying at home.
What happens in between?
You have to have a very high concentration, because when you run you have adrenaline that drives you and pushes you to do your best. While replicating those over-revving moments on your own is difficult.
Are there big differences in terms of load and recovery?
I think Pogacar could have that extra bit of freshness, despite the fact that both Van Der Poel and Ganna had a week of rest and preparation where they could recover as best as possiblePogacar will have worked this week to refine his condition, training with greater effort and intensity. While the other two didn't need to refine, but rather maintain.
Shall we talk about Van Der Poel?
He has the final in his favor, and in the sprint he is superior to Pogacar and Ganna. However, at the Tirreno-Adriatico I saw him less explosive., the sprint against Del Toro and Pellizzari won it but by a narrow margin. Then in Martinsicuro in the fourth stage he did a very long sprint, which is his real advantageVan Der Poel has that minute of full speed where he has no rivals.
In the last stage of the Tirreno he did a test of the Poggio…
He's fine, really fine. That was a test of effort at the end of a busy week, in the economy of a stage race that climb can be compared to the finale of Sanremo. You arrive feeling just the right amount of tiredness and you try to do something extra.
Could Ganna's time trial be a sign?
Not too much, he's the best in the world at that. Then it is such a different effort that it cannot be compared to a road race., he gave the real signal when he tried to anticipate us in Martinsicuro. To do such an action means that you are well, you are ready and prepared.You want to look for something different.
Could this be a key factor in the Sanremo season?
Everything should go well for Ganna, but I see him really fit, ready and in good condition. I think the advance on Via Roma is possible, but it is not easy to find the right timeBut if someone like him takes two, three, then ten meters, who's going to catch up with him? Especially if the finish line remains narrow, like last year.
There is space from the end of the descent of the Poggio to the finish line.
How long will it be, four minutes of racing? It's like an individual chase, everyone will be tired and at the limit.And Ganna is one of the few in the world, perhaps the only one, who can reach 60 miles an hour even in the final stages of the race.
