Milan-San Remo begins in Pavia for the primary time this yr, because the race shouldn’t be allowed in Milan itself any extra, however it’s nonetheless the longest Monument, the identical gruelling 288 kilometres main into the Through Roma in San Remo after the ascents of the Cipressa adopted by the Poggio, the race’s ultimate climb.
Judging by Tadej Pogačar’s kind and bravado at Strade Bianche earlier in March, it could be an atypical version, with assaults from far out historically failing. Nonetheless, if the Slovenian is on kind, custom may very well be turned on its head.
It’s also Mathieu van der Poel’s street debut for 2024, with final yr’s winner hoping to hit the bottom working, as his coaching accomplice Pogačar did a fortnight beforehand. All eyes can be on that pair, however it’s a race which is difficult to select favourites for, such is the breadth of prospects. Crucially, nonetheless, there isn’t a Wout van Aert, with the Belgian opting to skip it to coach at altitude for larger targets.
Traditionally a race for the sprinters, La Classicissima has regularly turn out to be a race for the all rounder, like a Pogačar or a Van der Poel. Grand Tour winners like Vincenzo Nibali are counted among the many record of current winners, as are an array of puncheurs together with Julian Alaphilippe, Wout van Aert and Jasper Stuyven. It has not been received by a pure sprinter since Frenchman Arnaud Démare triumphed in 2016.
One former dash winner, Mark Cavendish, will skip the chance to race a ultimate Milan-San Remo, as his staff, Astana Qazaqstan, are prioritising the necessity to win very important UCI factors. The 38-year-old received the 2009 version of the Traditional on debut.
“Milan-San Remo will all the time be a particular race for me however this season I even have a job to do,” he stated.
“I rode it final yr,” he added. “It is modified as a race to what it as soon as was, after I received it.
“The game is what it’s. I all the time watch the large at some point races and I will watch it with my son Casper, he loves the Classics, so it should nonetheless be a big day for me.”
Key sector: the Poggio
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos / Luca Bettini)
The ultimate climb of the race earlier than the descent into San Remo, the Poggio has an extended historical past of being the launchpad for numerous race successful strikes over time. Vincenzo Nibali launched his successful assault on the climb in 2018, and Matej Mohorič adopted swimsuit 4 years later.
The ascent begins simply six kilometres from the end, groups typically jostle for place on the head of the race as the underside of the climb approaches because the sharp left flip into the Poggio is slender and may simply catch you out. It is typically the case that the primary ten to fifteen riders into that key nook can be people who battle it out within the finale as soon as the slope ramps up.
The contenders
Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Van der Poel can be making his season debut at San-Remo which can even imply a primary outing for his new rainbow jersey as World Champion as he makes an attempt to defend the title he received final yr on the Through Roma. Alongside Pogačar, he would be the joint favorite for victory this trip.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Workforce Emirates)
To date so good for Pogačar in 2024. The Slovenian received Strade Bianche on his season debut with a powerful solo effort from greater than 80 kilometres out which implies he’s bang in kind heading into San Remo. Pogačar received’t wish to carry anybody to the finale, so might look to assault early, perhaps even earlier than the standard launch pad, the Poggio, given his current exploits.
Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers)
(Picture credit score: Getty / Marco Bertorello)
Pidcock was fourth at Strade Bianche, his final look in a one-day race, and eighth at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad simply earlier than that. The descent from the Poggio appears tailor made for his attributes as a rider and he’s greater than able to attacking excessive and staying away. The Yorkshireman’s present kind suggests {that a} podium place is actually inside attain.
Caleb Ewan (Jayco-AlUla)
The Australian sprinter already has one victory to his title this season, a stage win on the opening day on the Tour of Oman. He additionally completed fifteenth on stage two at Tirreno-Adriatico. Milan-San Remo is a race he appears to thrive in and he has completed second twice in 2018 and 2021. The Poggio isn’t powerful sufficient to distance the likes of Ewan utterly. No one will wish to take him into the end within the Through Roma.
Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious)
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos / Marco Bertorello)
Final trip, Mohorič achieved fifth place at Strade Bianche and received’t have raced once more till he returns to San Remo, a race he infamously received, with assistance from a dropper seat put up, in 2023. Previous to Strade Bianche, the Slovenian completed twenty fourth at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad earlier than ending 79th at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, two outcomes which by his personal admission, he was disillusioned with.
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Philipsen had a disappointing Opening Weekend in Belgium, 66th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and 92nd at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, however bounced again with a bunch dash victory on stage two of Tirreno-Adriatico. Equally to Ewan, Philipsen is the kind of sprinter that’s able to getting over the Poggio with relative ease and holding his personal when the assaults begin raining down.
Previous winners
2023: Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck 2. Filippo Ganna (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers 3. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
2022 Matej Mohorič (Slo) Bahrain Victorious
2021 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo
