Milano-Sanremo 2026: Can Pogacar Finally Conquer Van der Poel on the Via Roma?
There's something truly special about the first Monument classic on the cycling calendar. On Saturday, the 21st of March, the peloton rolls out from Pavia for the 117th edition of Milano-Sanremo 2026, and the tension is palpable. We've seen this picture before: Tadej Pogacar attacking on the Cipressa, and Mathieu van der Poel playing it cool, waiting for the perfect counter on the Poggio. But this year feels different. It's almost as if the entire cycling world is holding its breath, asking: can the Slovenian finally get the job done?
The Ultimate Duel: The Flying Dutchman vs. The Yellow Dragon
Let's not beat around the bush. Milano-Sanremo 2026 comes down to two men. On one side, we have the world champion, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), who has just about every trophy on his mantelpiece but is yet to tick the box next to "Classicissima." He's finished third, fourth, and fifth. He's tried everything, and in the last two years, he's redefined tactics by piling on relentless pressure on the Cipressa. He's hungry, and he's got the form we all witnessed at Strade Bianche recently.
On the other side stands the defending champion, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech). The Dutchman has won two of the last three editions and looks to be in the form of his life. He won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a dominant solo break and has since dominated at Tirreno-Adriatico. Van der Poel possesses that unique ability: he can sit on Pogacar's wheel on the Cipressa, match his explosiveness on the Poggio, and then out-sprint him on the Via Roma. It almost feels like the race outcome depends more on whether Van der Poel has an off-day than on whether Pogacar rides strong.
The Italian Longing: Can Ganna or a Local Hero Break the Duopoly?
While the two superstars hog the headlines, there's a nation of tifosi desperate for a homegrown winner. That could very well come from Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers). Ganna was part of the decisive break last year and ended up on the podium. He's a machine on the time trial, and if he can navigate the Poggio descent safely and gap the others on the flat run-in to Sanremo, he could very well be the one to bring victory back to Italy for the first time since Vincenzo Nibali in 2018.
Beyond that, there's plenty of local flavour in the peloton. From the Bergamo area, both six female and four male riders are taking the start – a proud tradition showing just how much this race means to local cycling clubs. Chances are they won't win, but they carry the soul of the classic with them through the Ligurian mountain roads.
Aussie fans might want to keep an eye on the up-and-coming sprinters in the mix. While there aren't any direct local favourites this year, the race always has a knack for unearthing new talent on the big stage.
The Women's 'Classicissima': Can Wiebes Repeat Her Triumph?
On the same day, the women will also be tearing through the Ligurian Riviera for the 2026 Milano-Sanremo Donne. Just like the men's race, the women's edition is decided on the final 30 kilometres with the Tre Capi, Cipressa, and Poggio. Last year's winner, the dominant Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), is back to defend her title. She is without a doubt the fastest if it comes down to a bunch sprint. But the question is, will the peloton allow it? Teams like UAE Team ADQ, with former winner Elisa Longo Borghini and the in-form Karlijn Swinkels, will try to make the race hard on the Cipressa to shake Wiebes off.
It's going to be a tactical masterpiece. Can Wiebes' teammate, Lotte Kopecky, neutralise the attacks? Or will we see a surprise from one of the many challengers like Marianne Vos or Kasia Niewiadoma? One thing's for sure: it's going to be explosive.
How to Watch the Classic: Route, Times, and Channels
The course for the Milano - Sanremo 2026 Preview features a whopping 298 kilometres from Pavia to Sanremo, nine kilometres more than last year. The final 60 kilometres are some of the most intense in the entire cycling season, with the three small climbs (Capi), followed by the Cipressa and then the legendary Poggio, whose summit comes just 5.4 kilometres from the finish.
From this afternoon, the first road closures are already in place around Sanremo – the locals know the classic is on its way. For us at home, it's about grabbing a spot on the couch and tuning into Eurosport 2 or HBO Max, which will be broadcasting the race from start to finish. The expectation is that the peloton will hit the decisive climbs late in the afternoon:
- Cipressa (summit): Around 4:45 PM
- Poggio (summit): Around 5:05 PM
- Expected arrival on the Via Roma: Around 5:15 PM
Milano-Sanremo (men's) is not just a bike race; it's a chess game on two wheels, where the pieces weigh 80 kilos and take each other on with watts instead of rooks. Get ready for a Saturday where we finally find out if Pogacar's last unconquered fortress falls, or if Van der Poel once again proves he's the greatest champion of his generation.