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, March 21st, the peloton rolls out from Pavia for the 117th edition of Milano-Sanremo 2026, and the tension is palpable. We've seen the movie before: Tadej Pogacar attacking on the Cipressa, and Mathieu van der Poel biding his time, 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 Golden 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 practically filled his trophy cabinet, but still hasn't been able 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 move and has since dominated at Tirreno-Adriatico. Van der Poel has this unique ability: he can 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 depends more on whether Van der Poel has an off day than on how strong Pogacar rides.
The Italian Yearning: Can Ganna or a Local Hero Break the Duopoly?
While the two superstars grab the headlines, an entire nation of tifosi is desperate for a homegrown victory. Their best hope could well be Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers). Ganna was part of the decisive move last year and ended up on the podium. He's a machine on the flat, and if he can navigate the Poggio descent safely and gap the others on the run-in to Sanremo, he could very well be the one to bring glory back to Italy for the first time since Vincenzo Nibali in 2018.
Beyond the pros, there's plenty of local flavour in the event. Riders from the Bergamo area, both six women and four men, are taking part – a proud tradition that shows just how much this race means to local cycling clubs. They're unlikely to win, but they carry the soul of the classic with them through the Ligurian hills.
Keep an eye on Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team). He's on the start list and is one of those young sprinters who could spring a surprise if it comes down to a reduced bunch kick. But that means surviving the Poggio, which is a big ask for a young gun.
The Women's Race: Can Wiebes Repeat Her Triumph?
The same day, the women's peloton will tear 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, featuring the Tre Capi, Cipressa, and Poggio. Last year's winner, the formidable Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), is back to defend her title. She's undoubtedly the fastest if it comes down to a sprint. But the question is whether the peloton will let that happen? 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 chess match. 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'll be explosive.
How to Watch the Classic: Route, Times, and Channels
The route for the Milano - Sanremo 2026 Preview covers 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 capi climbs, followed by the Cipressa and then the legendary Poggio, whose summit comes just 5.4 kilometres from the finish.
Road closures around Sanremo have been in place since this afternoon – the locals know the classic is on its way. For those of us at home, it's time to hit the couch 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 4:45 PM
- Poggio (summit): Around 5:05 PM
- Estimated arrival on the Via Roma: Around 5:15 PM
Milano-Sanremo (m) isn't just a bike race; it's a chess game on two wheels, where the pieces weigh 80 kilos and battle with watts instead of rooks. Get ready for a Saturday where we finally get an answer: will the last unconquered fortress for Pogacar fall, or will Van der Poel once again prove he's the greatest champion of his generation?