This 2025 cycling spring will take time to forget it
Already early 2025 we had how the spring cycling that came to us could beand a stage emerged above the rest: the pogacar duel – van der poel.
Everything went through them.
A duel to two bands at first – Flandes and San Remo – that became an authentic Bermuda triangle for the fan, when it was confirmed that the Slovenian would also dispute Roubaix the Dutch.
Closing the circle, we have lived one of the best springs I remember.
And there are five things that I want to leave in writing:
1. Sure Mathiu Van the pool
It is not that I want Pogacar – it is not a guy who falls badly, on the contrary – but It is clear that when he has someone in front of him to face, the show shoots.
We had exceptional afternoons of cycling, in three acts, with an advantage – eojo – for Mathieu, the grandson of Poupou, who surrounded a domain as we have rarely seen.
Of those three acts, which we discussed the other day, I am left with the first: Milan-San Remo. A career vilified by a generation that did things differently, but this time was supreme.
The Cénit, the summit of this batch of cyclists that runs without fear and without following the usual manuals.
2. POGACAR HISTORICAL Spring
A historical campaign was raised and, although a priori seemed like a capital challenge, he has achieved it. Not 100%, it is true, but laugh at what you have achieved.
Two monuments, the two Belgians, curiously, and many other podiums.
An incredible balance, simply overwhelming, that places it among the best – Top 3 – of history as far as large monuments are concerned.
Add the Strade and Vallea arrow, to compute that He has won 4 of 7 classic, being possible that he would have won perfectly.
3. The Amstel is a star career again
I had my doubts with the return of the Amstel Gold race in the classic end of the cauberg, but my mother … what a race. One of the best moments of a spring cycling loaded with magic.
Pogacar’s collapse opened the Gloria tap for Skjelmose, and enjoyment for fans in an exceptional outcome.
That day, also luck of Remco Evenepoel, with all the pedal stroke that lacked in Lieja, decaying hunting when we all gave the race for loss.
4. Outsiders muy outsiders
The balance of the monuments leaves no doubt: draw between Pogacar and Van der Poel. But beyond them, it is convenient to point out some names that, punctually, were at a high level.
For example, we cannot forget the Milan-San Remo of Filippo Ganna, flattening and chasing the beasts to finish second.
The same with Mads Pedersen, podium in Flanders and Roubaix and record man in the Gante-Wevelgem. And, of course, the “triumph” of his partner Mattias Skjelmose in the Amstel.
Three names that did not appear in the main forecasts, very quality outsiders that, honestly, never came to realize the victories in the four monuments, but that have suffered as few the tyranny of the two best.
5. Where were not so distant names?
On Sunday, seeing the liege-bombne-lieja, I remember a cutting attempt by Bob Jungelsmore than eighty kilometers of finish, just when Jack Haig was escaped.
We talked about two Top runners does not do so much: Luxembourgs won this race in 2018; The Australian was a podium in the Tour of Spain in 2021. Today they are on the sidelines, completely, as cast actors … until the UAE allows them to move ahead.
When the Pogacar team gets serious, there are no adventures or chance: everything is on track, the champion attacks and, as my dear Jaime Mir would say: “The story is over.”
Extrapoup this to the rest of the races and You will see where the previous generation has been before these “carpanas” that loves everything.
Simply brutal.
