Milano-Sanremo 2026: Can Pogacar Finally Beat Van der Poel on the Via Roma?
There's something truly special about the first Monument classic on the cycling calendar. On Saturday, 21st March, the peloton rolls out from Pavia for the 117th edition of Milano-Sanremo 2026, and the tension is palpable. We've seen the picture before: Tadej Pogacar attacking on the Cipressa, and Mathieu van der Poel biding his time, waiting for the perfect counter-move on the Poggio. But this year feels different. It's as if the entire cycling world is holding its breath and asking: can the Slovenian finally get the job done?
The Ultimate Duel: The Flying Dutchman vs The Golden Dragon
Let's not beat around the bush. Milano-Sanremo 2026 is all about two men. On one side, we have the world champion, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), who has by now collected just about every trophy under the sun, but still hasn't been able to tick the 'Classicissima' box. He's finished third, fourth and fifth. He's tried everything, and in the last two years, he has redefined tactics by applying relentless pressure on the Cipressa. He's hungry, and he has 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 shape of his life. He won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a commanding solo ride and has since dominated at Tirreno-Adriatico. Van der Poel has the unique ability to sit on Pogacar's wheel on the Cipressa, match his explosiveness on the Poggio, and then beat him in the sprint on the Via Roma. It almost feels like the race outcome now depends more on Van der Poel having an off-day than on Pogacar riding strongly.
Italian Longing: Can Ganna or a Local Hero Break the Duopoly?
While the two superstar favourites grab the headlines, an entire nation of tifosi is desperate for a home win. That could very well come from Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers). Ganna was in the decisive breakaway last year and ended up on the podium. He's a time-trialling machine, and if he can navigate the Poggio descent safely and open a gap on the flats into Sanremo, he could very well be the one to bring glory back to Italy for the first time since Vincenzo Nibali in 2018.
Beyond that, the peloton is packed with local flavour. From the Bergamo area alone, six female and four male riders are taking the start – a proud tradition that shows just how much this race means to local cycling clubs. Few of them are likely to win, but they carry the soul of the classic with them through the Ligurian mountains.
Danish eyes will be on Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team). He's on the start list and is one of the young sprinters who could spring a surprise if the race ends in a reduced bunch sprint. But that requires him to get over the Poggio with the front group, which is a big ask for such a young rider.
The Women's 'Manhattan': Can Wiebes Repeat Her Triumph?
On the same day, the women will also be blasting along 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 featuring the Tre Capi, Cipressa and Poggio. Last year's winner, the superb Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), is back to defend her title. She is undoubtedly the fastest if it comes down to a sprint. But the question is, will the peloton allow that? 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 promises 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 is for sure: it will be explosive.
How to Watch the Classic: Route, Timings and Channels
The route for the Milano - Sanremo 2026 covers a gruelling 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, featuring the three small climbs (the 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 those of us at home, it's time to get settled on the sofa and tune 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 16:45
- Poggio (summit): Around 17:05
- Estimated arrival on the Via Roma: Around 17:15
Milano-Sanremo is not just a bike race; it's a chess game on two wheels, where the pieces weigh 80 kilos and attack each other with watts instead of rooks. Get ready for a Saturday where we finally get the answer: will the last unconquered fortress for Pogacar fall, or will Van der Poel once again prove he is the greatest champion of his generation?