Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel celebrated collectively after combining completely to present Alpecin-Deceuninck a second consecutive victory at Milan-San Remo.
Final yr, Van der Poel attacked excessive of the Poggio to win alone. This yr he joined Tadej Pogačar on the descent however opted to sacrifice his possibilities within the small group to work for Philipsen.
Within the remaining two kilometres, he chased after late attackers Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), Matteo Sobrero (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) to present his teammate a shot at victory within the dash.
It was exemplary teamwork, a particular friendship, and a shared victory.
“On the descent of the Poggio I begged Mathieu on the radio to not work with Pogačar as a result of I had nice legs,” Philipsen revealed post-race.
“I’ve to thank him for what he did. I feel he did an exquisite job bringing again all of the assaults and conserving it again for a dash. I in all probability would have gained with out him. We could be so proud as a workforce to win Milan-San Remo twice.”
Van der Poel admitted he had hoped to journey to the end with Pogačar however then switched to Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Plan B within the 12-rider end.
“Oh, how I’d have cherished to have ridden to the end with Tadej,” Van der Poel admitted. “However then Jasper instantly indicated that he nonetheless had good legs. We’re at all times sincere with one another and happily, I used to be in a position to chase Mohorič and the others. I needed to do it, there was no time to linger.
“We could be very happy with our workforce. It’s not simple to win this Monument two years in a row. After all, I might fairly win myself, however I can take pleasure in this too.”
Philipsen admitted he felt the stress after the world championed his workforce chief sacrificed to make sure Milan-San Remo resulted in a dash.
“I used to be actually afraid as a result of I did not need to fuck up,” he admitted.
“I’ve fucked up sprints this yr and so if I might misplaced this one it could have been a missed alternative for the remainder of my life.”
Philipsen naturally praised Van der Poel’s generosity.
“Mathieu is the final man to consider himself, he likes to assist his teammates, like I helped him ultimately yr’s Paris-Roubaix.
“I am going to at all times bear in mind and be glad about what he did to present me an opportunity to win a monument. I’d by no means get the prospect once more in my profession.”
