Milano-Sanremo

Without its 291 kilometers -the longest race in the entire season-, the route of Milano-Sanremo wouldn’t probably be enough to avoid a big bunch’s sprint. However, that impressive length is the crucial factor which allows the best classics riders in the world, and even some climbers, to dare attack through the Poggio with nearly seven hours of racing in its legs, and have a shot at success in the Via Roma.

The ‘Classicissima’ (110th edition) hasn’t really changes its parcours for the last two years as it continues to respect, following the scrapping of the Le Manie climb, the scheme which has made the first Monument of the spring so legendary. A very easy opening 120km from Ovada, where the early breakaway builds its gap, are followed by the Passo del Turchino (142km) and its quick downhill towards the Riviera Ligure, where an additional flat 80km preceed the key climbs of the race.

The famous ‘Capi’ -Capo Mele (239km), Capo Cervo (244km) and Capo Berta (km 252)- start to build the climbing legs before the treacherous Cipressa (269km), a 6km ascent at 4.1% average gradient whose descent makes for a significant selection and some attacks which lighten up the race for good. From the end of the downhill, the teams look for position before the 3.7km, 3,7% Poggio (285.6km), a climb of ‘big chainring’ where those with energy left to attack can take precious seconds before the tricky descent down to Sanremo.