Milano-Sanremo

Almost exactly the same – except that we depart further away from Milan every single year. The first ‘Monument’ of the international classics season, which already left behind Lombardy’s capital for the first time in 2023 to start from Abbiategrasso, will see its ‘partenza’ taking place in Pavia on Saturday 16th March. The route, though, will otherwise remain the same we know (and love?), the contest between puncheurs and sprinters to win at the Via Roma.

The everlasting references are the gentle climb of Turchino (138km); the descent towards the Riviera Ligure; the ‘Capi’ -Capo Mele (236km), Capo Cervo (241km) and Capo Berta (249km); and the two key ascents: Cipressa (266km; 5.6km at 4.1%), always at full speed with attacks that make the first selection; and most importantly the Poggio (281km; 3.7km at 3.7%), with the moves towards glory in its ascent – and descent!