Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: March 17, 2024, 00:01 IST
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Belgian bike owner Jasper Philipsen sprinted to win the fastestever MilanSan Remo and declare his first victory in a “monument” race.
SAN REMO, Italy: Belgian bike owner Jasper Philipsen sprinted to win the fastest-ever Milan-San Remo and declare his first victory in a “monument” race.
The Alpecin–Deceuninck rider edged out Michael Matthews and two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar on Saturday. Philipsen screamed in pleasure after crossing the road and beamed broadly as he was embraced by his rivals.
“A monument is something you dream of. Milan-San Remo is maybe one of the only monuments I can win and I’m really proud,” Philipsen mentioned. “I had a feeling today that it could be my day, I had really good legs from the start already and I was feeling good. I had the belief in it but of course everything needs to fall in place.”
The race had a mean pace of 46.1 kph per hour (28.6 mph). Philipsen completed the 288-kilometer (179-mile) route in 6 hours, 14.44 seconds.
Pogačar was among the many favorites after his dominating win within the Strade Bianche firstly of the month and he attacked close to the highest of the well-known climb up the Poggio however he was swiftly adopted by defending champion Mathieu van der Poel.
They had a small hole firstly of the twisty descent to the end however had been feverishly chased by a small however illustrious group that additionally included Tom Pidcock and 2022 winner Matej Mohorič.
All tried to assault inside the ultimate kilometer however it was Philipsen who edged out Matthews by lower than half a bicycle wheel.
“It’s hard,” Matthews mentioned. “Obviously happy with the podium but, being so close, it’s bittersweet.
“I think tomorrow morning I’ll be happy with my performance, but this moment right now, being this close to a monument after so many podiums, it’s hard.”
The 26-year-old Philipsen received 4 phases in final yr’s Tour de France to take his tally to 6 within the French Grand Tour. He has additionally received three phases within the Spanish Vuelta.
The Milan-San Remo is the primary of the 5 monument races of the season, adopted by Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Tour of Lombardy.
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AP sports activities: https://apnews.com/sports
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
