Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel celebrated collectively after combining completely to provide 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 closing two kilometres, he chased after late attackers Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), Matteo Sobrero (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) to provide 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 believe he did a beautiful job bringing again all of the assaults and preserving it again for a dash. I most likely would have received with out him. We could be so proud as a staff to win Milan-San Remo twice.”
Van der Poel admitted he had hoped to trip 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 luckily, 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 staff. It isn’t simple to win this Monument two years in a row. After all, I would reasonably win myself, however I can take pleasure in this too.”
Philipsen admitted he felt the stress after the world championed his staff chief sacrificed to make sure Milan-San Remo led to 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 would misplaced this one it will 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 finally yr’s Paris-Roubaix.
“I will at all times bear in mind and be glad about what he did to provide me an opportunity to win a monument. I’d by no means get the prospect once more in my profession.”