the slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates), double winner of the Tour de France and with 9 victories this season, attracts the spotlight for the 114th edition of Milan-San Remothe “Classissima” which offers the first monument of the year with the longest route in the calendar, 294 km between Abbiategrasso and Sanremo.
Pogacar (Komenda, 24 years old) arrived at a wonderful moment, as he showed in his recent exhibition in Paris-Nice, in search of his fourth monument, as he has 2 Lombardies and 1 Liege in his credit. With 9 wins in 13 days of competition, the UAE leader will try to judge his style on the Poggio climb in one of his long-term attacks.
The reference is Pogacar, no doubt, but the list of entries is very respectable, with Belgian names wout van aert (Jumbo Visma), the Dutch Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin) and the French double world champion Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick Step).
Van Aert and Alaphilippe you know what it’s like to enter the Via Roma with your arms up and van der poel will be third in 2022. They are men to watch, along with other candidates such as defending champions, the Slovenian Matej Mohoric (Bahrain), who will have the help of the Spanish rookie Hair Bilbao.
ATTENTION TO THE SPRINTERS
“Classissima” will be a duel between the classics and the sprinters, although history says that since 2016 there has been no finish between the sprinters, that year with the victory of the French Demare. If the Cipresa levels and especially the Poggio do not choose a race with great favorites, a good group of runners can enter the scene with many options: Fernando Gaviria (Movistar), Pedersen (Trek), Laporte (Jumbo), Ewan (Lotto), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin), Sam Bennett (Bora) and Mark Cavendish (Astana)Besides others.
The Spanish assets went through Movistar, showing Ivan Garcia Cortina and Alex Aranburu. The latter already knows what it’s like to star in the Italian classic, having arrived in the main group in 2022 and taking seventh place in both 2021 and 2020.
Movistar Complete the squad with the Colombian Fernando Gaviriain good condition, Gonzalo Serrano, Johan Jacobs, Lluís Mas and Oier Lazkano.
THE POGGIO, KEY POINT
For the first time in 114 editions, the ‘Classissima’ will not start in Milan, it will start in the town of abbiategrasso. The rest of the route will be traditional.
After passing Turchino (km 144), halfway through the race, the peloton will descend towards the Ligurian Riviera in search of the ‘Capi’, small walls, where Capo Mele, Cervo and Berta stand out, small elevations ahead on two decisive levels.
the cypress (km 272; 5.6 km at 4.1%), will make the first choice, and then to Poggio (km 287; 3.7 km at 3.7%), with 10 to go, the moves of the favorites are already bringing the scent of victory. Raise your arms at Via Roma.
EDDY MERCKX ABOVE ALL, FREE AT THE BEST
Without a doubt, San Milano San Remo is one of the most prestigious events on the calendar. In his palms there are sacred names, champions of the stature of Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Roger de Vlaeminck or Eddy Merckxwho holds the record of 7 wins.
The Spanish Oscar Freire is another of the legends of the test, because the Spaniard, triple world champion, won the Milan-San Remo three times, in 2004, 2007 and 2010. Previously, another Spaniard, Miguel Poblet He achieved glory in 1957 and 1959.
– Final winners:
. 2022. Matej Mohoric (ESL)
. 2021. Jasper Stuyven (BEL)
. 2020. Wout Van Aert (BEL)
. 2019. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
. 2018. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
