A titanic performance that almost became legendary. Filippo Ganna was the protagonist of a memorable Milan-Sanremo 2025, conquering a second place that feels like a feat behind Mathieu van der Poel.

"I tried to follow two gods of cycling," Ganna said after the race, referring to Van der Poel and Pogacar. "I couldn't do more, those two made me lose several years of life."

The Ineos Grenadiers rider showed incredible resilience, managing to close the gap several times after Pogacar's attacks on the Cipressa (where the Slovenian set a new record of 9:00) and on the Poggio. An impressive display of strength that confirms his extraordinary skills as a rouleur.

"I think this is one of my best performances ever," Ganna said. "I was there with the world champion and the former world champion, one who won a series of Monuments, the other who won the Giro and the Tour. I'm happy, I gave my all and I couldn't ask for more."

The finale was particularly emotional, with Ganna managing to catch up with the leading duo in the last kilometre: "On the descent I closed my eyes and said to myself: 'If I fall, I fall'. Then with a final effort I got them back and sprinted. My only regret is not having tried to anticipate van der Poel's sprint".

"I can't be happy with the defeat, but being the first of the defeated after having given everything I had, for me is enough", concluded the Italian champion, protagonist of a performance that will remain in the history of the Classicissima.