Milan-San Remo 2026: The Fastest Classic of the Season Is About to Begin

Here we go again. The first true Monument of the cycling season is knocking at the door. Milan-San Remo, or as the purists call it: La Classicissima. This Saturday, 293 kilometres and the most beautiful flowers of the Italian Riviera are on the menu. And oh, it’s shaping up to be an absolute war of attrition. We’re not talking about just any race here; this is the grand opening of the major Classics, and everyone wants a piece of the action.

Why we’re glued to the screen every single year

The beauty of San Remo lies in its timing and its terror. You know it’s going to be hours of orchestrated chaos. The teams with their sprinters are dreaming of the Via Roma, the guys with Classic ambitions feel their legs tingle on the Cipressa, and then there’s always that one madman who’ll throw a spanner in the works on the Poggio. It’s a race decided by millimetres and mental strength. History teaches us that nothing comes for free here. Just think of the legendary 1970 edition, where Eddy Merckx cemented his status as the Cannibal. Or 1974, when Roger De Vlaeminck secured his second of three total victories. Those were the days of pure man-on-man battles, with steel frames and leather helmets.

The mythical editions that came before us

As a cycling fan, I’m always captivated by the history. Especially in a Monument like this, you can draw a direct line from the past to the present. Take Milan-San Remo 1976. That edition is etched in my memory as one of the most unpredictable. A complete surprise that showed how, on these roads, a bit of bad luck or having your day can make your name famous. And Milan-San Remo 1983? That was the Poggio battle at its absolute best. Giuseppe Saronni going all out on the descent. It just goes to show: today’s Classics are written with the ink of yesterday’s legends. The names change, but the drama remains.

The favourites: Who will take the flowers on the Via Roma?

Let’s look at the riders of today. This year, we have a start list that looks like something out of a dream. Let me tell you the guys I’ll be keeping both eyes on:

• Tadej Pogacar: The Slovenian is, of course, the man with number one on his back. He can do it all, but the question is whether he can combine his explosiveness on the Poggio with the patience of a true Classics specialist. Word is, he’s planning to attack the Cipressa harder than ever before.
• Mathieu van der Poel: Our Dutch pride. He’s been working towards this moment all year. If he can survive the Poggio without too much damage, he’s almost unbeatable on the Via Roma in a sprint from a select group. The only question is: will they let him ride away?
• Tom Pidcock & Filippo Ganna: Two completely different types. Pidcock with his punch, Ganna with his raw power on the flats. If the wind picks up, Ganna can split the peloton. Pidcock is my dark horse for when it really comes down to the final metres.

The decisive kilometres: Cipressa and Poggio

We all know it: the race truly begins on the Cipressa. That’s where the pace goes through the roof until your legs are screaming. But the real finale unfolds on the Poggio di San Remo. The climb is short but vicious. Whoever can force a gap here has the descent to the Via Roma to capitalise on that advantage. Everyone plays the cat-and-mouse game. The sprint teams will try to keep things together, but it’s up to the Classics specialists to prevent that. The tactic is simple: make it so tough that your rivals are empty before the red carpet is rolled out.

My take on the finale

In recent years, I’ve seen too many times how the big favourites just end up staring each other down. Somewhere inside, I’m hoping for a scenario that recreates the old days, like in the 70s and 80s. Where an attack at the top of the Poggio isn’t neutralised immediately, but where a rider has the guts to go all the way. Whether it’s Pogacar, Van der Poel, or a surprise package wanting to etch their name into the history books alongside Merckx, De Vlaeminck, and Saronni. One thing is certain: when the riders take that final turn on the Via Roma after hours of racing, we’ll be right there, noses pressed against the screen. It’s Milan-San Remo. You don’t need anything more.