Van der Poel, Ganna and Pogacar have been among the many favourites for victory within the first Monument of the season however a race that includes predictable protagonists thrilled all through.
A eight-man break went clear in chilly and wet situations early on earlier than they have been caught.
Slovenia’s Pogacar, searching for his first Milan San-Remo title after three consecutive top-five finishes, used his UAE Workforce Emirates-XRG squad to arrange a devastating transfer on the Cipressa climb earlier than extra assaults on the Poggio.
Because the riders checked out one another approaching the ultimate straight, Van der Poel made the decisive transfer, leaving Ineos Grenadiers’ Ganna to complete runner-up to him, as he did in 2023, with Pogacar taking third for the second 12 months in a row.
Solely six riders have extra Monument victories than Van der Poel and Pogacar, with Gino Bartali, Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara additionally profitable seven of their careers.
Van der Poel can also be the primary a number of champion of this occasion since Spain’s Oscar Freire, who received the final of his three Milan-San Remo titles in 2010.
Michael Matthews took the bunch dash behind to complete fourth, with Fred Wright the highest-placed British rider in tenth.
