Wout Van Aert could only try to find solace in his own performance and the third place podium, honoring his eternal rival Mathieu Van Paul's victory in Milan - San Remo.

The Jumbo Visma rider dragged Van der Pol (Alpecin Deceuninck) into Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) and Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) at the Poggio's winning point, but Van der Pol's summit When he surged near the top, he had no reply.

Van Aert tried to lead the chase on Poggio, but Van der Pol extended his lead to second and then third, and then soloed to victory on Via Roma at the finish.

Ganna kicked VanArt off before the line, but the Belgian pulled away from Pogachar to take third.

"Mathieu was super strong. He made strong moves at the right time. Congratulations," Van Aert said after an awkward moment on a small couch while waiting for the podium ceremony with Van der Pol and Ganna.

"We raced to win. I think I was strong today too. I'm happy because I got to fight with the best in the final," Van Aert added.

Van Aert regretted his efforts in Poggio. Van der Pol was on his wheel, but he saw Pogachar leaving on Ganna's wheel and wanted to be part of the decisive attack.

"It was definitely a fast race. I kept my distance from the breakaway group and was fast all day," he said, reflecting on the long 294-km day.

"Chipressa was easier than I expected. I think it was more of a headwind than people thought because of the twists and turns. Then we went up to Poggio in a big group. Poggio was a really fast climb. Thanks to Wellens' lead out to Pogachar, the group broke apart early," he explained.

"I was able to mark the attack, which was good.

Juan Art was not confident in his form when he made his season debut less than two weeks ago, having been sick at the start of the Attitude Camp in February. However, fatigue from Tirreno - Adriatico combined with his hard work seems to have gotten him in form for the spring classic.

His performance was more satisfying than his result in Milano-Sanremo and motivated him for the next Monumento Classic, which will be held locally in a few weeks.

"I'm looking forward to the future. The legs are there and I want to race more," Van Aert concluded.