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It is the first big motorcycle appointment of the season: on the 294 kilometers from Milan to Sanremo, the first classic winner of the season is being sought. Six Swiss start at the Primavera, as the spring race towards the Ligurian coast is called. Even before the start it is certain that no one will win. Because: due to the mainly flat roads, the race does not match the qualities of the best cyclists at the moment. Nevertheless, the Swiss flag is represented early and long in the race – and right at the front!
Alexandre Balmer, the 22-year-old cyclist from La Chaux-de-Fonds, escapes early with eight fellow escapees. Balmer? Exactly, he became junior mountain biking world champion in 2018. And even today he still rides his bike – in addition to his commitment to the road. “At the start of a race I feel like a lion. Only victory counts. If it makes me puke at all, I’ll do it,” he once told Blick. That’s exactly what Balmer does.
There are no other compatriots at his side during the breakaway, but two representatives of the new Swiss cycling teams. At Tudor, the team of owner and birthday Fabian Cancellara (42) and Aloïs Charrin (22) will compete. And the second Swiss team, Q36.5, kicks Negasi Haylu Abreha, a 22-year-old Ethiopian.
Like grandfather, like son
With 27 kilometers to go, the glory of the breakaway group is over. Who will win? It is Mathieu van der Poel (28) who opens the big fight on top of the Poggio and breaks away. He’s getting away. The question quickly arises: will the Dutchman, 62 years after his grandfather, the Frenchman Raymond Poulidor (1936-2019), win Milan-Sanremo for the first time? He can. Thanks to his class, but also thanks to his courage during the descent. On the Via Roma, the home straight of Sanremo, Van der Poel enjoys his solo shot.
By the way: just like Balmer, Van der Poel is also an excellent mountain biker. And lateral drivers on top. After the Tour of Flanders (2020 and 2022), he hoards the next monument of cycling.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
