Mathieu van der Poel delivered an impressive performance, signaling strong form ahead of a potential showdown with cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar at the upcoming Milan–San Remo.
The eight-time cyclocross world champion claimed victory on the demanding second stage of Tirreno–Adriatico after attacking on muddy gravel sections and finishing fastest from a three-rider breakaway. The win adds another notable result to his season following his earlier triumph at Omloop Nieuwsblad.
The stage covered 206 kilometers from Camaiore to San Gimignano. Van der Poel edged out Mexico’s Isaac del Toro and Italy’s Giulio Pellizzari in a tight uphill sprint after the trio broke away on a water-soaked gravel sector. Del Toro’s strong ride was enough to move him into the overall race lead, taking the jersey from Italian time-trial specialist Filippo Ganna, who had won the opening stage.
Meanwhile, Pogačar fresh off his victory at the gravel classic Strade Bianche is not racing in Tirreno–Adriatico this year. Attention is instead turning to March 21, when the Slovenian star and Van der Poel are expected to face each other at Milan–San Remo. The race remains one of the few major classics Pogačar has yet to conquer, while Van der Poel has already won it twice in the last three editions.
Cycling fans could see more clashes between the two riders later in the spring, particularly at the Tour of Flanders on April 5 and the iconic cobbled race Paris–Roubaix on April 12.
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