{"id":1829982,"date":"2026-03-16T19:53:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1829982"},"modified":"2026-03-16T19:53:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:53:24","slug":"have-we-already-seen-a-milan-san-remo-dress-rehearsal-heres-what-tirreno-adriatico-and-paris-nice-might-reveal-about-the-first-monument-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1829982","title":{"rendered":"Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-16T19:53:24Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Italian race still offers the best preparation for Milan-San Remo and &#8216;race hardness&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel only added to his stocks at Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"e01be54d-3d13-4d2c-ab5a-3b17d7edaad8\">Italy isn\u2019t just great for pasta and coffee. Despite a packed early-season calendar, Tirreno-Adriatico still offers the best path to peak form for Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics.<\/p>\n<p>The weather is generally better than Paris-Nice, which was struck by disastrous conditions again this year, conditions that Classics riders consider too great a risk. The racing at Tirreno-Adriatico is typically less intense, allowing the one-day specialists a gentler on-ramp to peak form. So when it comes to searching for hints about how Milan-San Remo might go, Tirreno is the place to look.<\/p>\n<p id=\"e01be54d-3d13-4d2c-ab5a-3b17d7edaad8-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This year, three of the four main Milan-San Remo favourites chose to compete in Italy last week in search of what Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) succinctly described as &#8220;race hardness&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo should be fun&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel shows he is ready for the Classics with Tirreno-Adriatico tactical masterclass<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Never say never\u2026&#8217; &#8211; Tirreno-Adriatico sprint win gives Jonathan Milan a glimpse of hope for Milan-San Remo sprint finish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>While every other four or five-star contender for <em>La Classicissima<\/em> was in Italy for the seven stages of Tirreno-Adriatico, Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) stayed at home to follow his unique Spring Classics plan that stretches across the next six weekends, culminating in Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His number one rival, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), chose Tirreno for a week of hard racing, and it appeared to polish his form to perfection. Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) also honed his form and race tactics, careful to win the time trial but did not chase the GC after last year&#8217;s fight for second place forced him to go too deep.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There were serious doubts about Van Aert&#8217;s form due to the injuries he sustained during the cyclocross season. He suffered every day during Tirreno-Adriatico, with his desire to win leading to tactical errors, but on Sunday night, he headed home to Belgium for a few days of rest, knowing his form was on the rise.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"14765c37-bdce-496d-8a50-4fec1a623dec\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert didn&#8217;t manage a top result in Italy but had some good hit-outs <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"0ef9bc85-5bfc-41ef-be2b-f15f9c03c390\">Unlike previous years, this season Van Aert ripped up the Visma-Lease a Bike training manual and insisted on riding Tirreno-Adriatico this year rather than a block of March altitude training, and seemed pleased with the results.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;You can\u2019t simulate this work in training,&#8221; he said after a week of suffering ended with a smile and good legs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Even with a good training schedule, you always choose a certain comfort zone. Here, the pace is set by someone else; you have to ride in a peloton and respond to attacks. You need that race feeling. It\u2019s a clich\u00e9, but you can\u2019t replicate that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mathieu-van-der-poel-turns-his-form-up-to-11-3\">Mathieu van der Poel turns his form up to 11<\/h2>\n<p id=\"d30a4fd1-c395-42cc-81e5-746f11dae242\">Flemish newspaper <em>Nieuwsblad<\/em> gave Mathieu van der Poel 11 out of 10 for his performance in Tirreno-Adriatico. It is a hyperbolic vote, but it indicates that the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider&#8217;s form is superb and that his projected performances in the upcoming Monuments, starting with Milan-San Remo, are strong.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Strade Bianche on the horizon but Milan-San Remo on the mind \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar sets unofficial Strava record on the Cipressa<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The Dutchman was outstanding at Tirreno-Adriatico, putting the fear of God into his rivals, and perhaps even Tadej Poga\u010dar, who was surely watching from home, with his two victories.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We saw what form Mathieu is in. With a scenario like last year [in Milan-San Remo], it is really difficult for 99% of the peloton to aim for the top prize,&#8221; Dries De Bondt (Jayco-AlUla) told Sporza.<\/p>\n<p>I witnessed how relaxed Van der Poel was at stage starts and noted how he found ways to have fun and work on his fitness on every stage in Italy.<\/p>\n<p>He won in San Gimignano after an attack on the final gravel sector and a climb to the finish. In Martinsicuro, he made sure he was part of the selection over the late climbs and then dominated the sprint. It seemed like a perfect dress rehearsal for the Milan-San Remo sprint.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"6dc5d008-90b8-45b1-9967-be03ef967904\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel laid down the power on the gravel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"8ae380a8-4676-4a18-a1c8-accc8dd6a8cd\">On stage 5, Van der Poel struggled to stay in the GC group on the climbs for a while, then on stage 7, he dragged the peloton over an early climb at speed to drop the sprinters. Every stage seemed part of a training plan that pushed his fitness without overexerting him.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel headed home to the Netherlands from Italy, knowing Tirreno had given him everything he had hoped for. Now he just needs to stay healthy for Saturday&#8217;s first showdown with Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"no-time-for-del-toro-to-switch-off-as-uae-team-emirates-face-milan-san-remo-selection-dilemma-3\">No time for Del Toro to switch off as UAE Team Emirates face Milan-San Remo selection dilemma<\/h2>\n<p id=\"95d35361-c489-4b41-901b-cdeb2748aed5\">The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad celebrated Isaac del Toro&#8217;s overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico but it will be interesting to see what impact their hard work has on their final roster for Milan-San Remo and the Mexican&#8217;s ability to help Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>Del Toro went deep to take one of the biggest achievements of his career but now faces a major supporting role on Saturday. He can&#8217;t yet fully stop, savour his success and relax.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"d9cfb731-19e5-46cd-b6b9-3cd8bcef6310\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Del Toro took an important win, but could it have cost him? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"c20b4bba-cc30-4163-8468-1d7ace3009b2\">Del Toro promised total dedication to Poga\u010dar, but this will only be his third time racing Milan-San Remo. The Mexican will have to step up and replace the injured Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez, and lead out Poga\u010dar&#8217;s expected attack on the Cipressa. Del Toro probably has the physical ability to play that role, but it remains to be seen if he can handle the pressure and fight for position.<\/p>\n<p>The final UAE Team Emirates lineup for Milan-San Remo remains unconfirmed due to injuries and fatigue, leaving sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez and his directors with the tough task of building a team to support Poga\u010dar&#8217;s high ambitions.<\/p>\n<p>Florian Vermeersch is expected to play a key role alongside Del Toro. Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy could also be good for an early surge on the Cipressa. However, the team are missing several other strong support options: Brandon McNulty crashed out of Paris-Nice, Jan Christen is fatigued after racing full gas since the AlUla Tour, and Kevin Vermaerke also crashed hard during Tirreno-Adriatico.<\/p>\n<p>Domen Novak could play an early role and has Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trust. Marc Soler may be called up for an extra shift before the Volta a Catalunya. Whatever the final selection, the seven-rider UAE roster for Milan-San Remo no longer has a powerful tail, and Poga\u010dar might have to take that into account.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"watch-out-for-jorgenson-and-pellizzari-3\">Watch out for Jorgenson and Pellizzari<\/h2>\n<p id=\"287ccf6c-6a26-49db-92a1-9936e62c3872\">The 2025 Milan-San Remo was a three-rider battle between Poga\u010dar, Van der Poel and Ganna, the trio going away on the Cipressa due to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s aggression and then sprinting up the Via Roma together. I&#8217;m expecting a different, more open race on Saturday, especially with a risk of rain and a tailwind along the coast.<\/p>\n<p>Wout van Aert seems to have the form and talents to join them on the Cipressa this year, and others could also have a chance based on their recent performances at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. Matteo Jorgenson and Christophe Laporte will back Van Aert, and the American could be especially useful on the Cipressa, where a sustained power effort is vital.<\/p>\n<p>After this week, Jorgenson will head to altitude to prepare for the Ardennes rather than join his teammates on the cobbles, but Milan-San Remo could see the Visma bees back at their best. If the big names cancel each other out, Laporte could come back from the chase group to win a bigger group sprint in San Remo.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"2efe91a8-d230-494e-b099-f0a20e80cafb\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Matteo Jorgenson is yet to win this year, but looked strong In Tirreno, a change from his usual Paris-Nice programme <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"4ccfa109-c84e-4f7d-985f-4db150f47c01\">Third overall in Tirreno, Giulio Pellizzari will lead Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe at the Giro d&#8217;Italia but has the physique and love for racing needed for Milan-San Remo. He was slowed by an Achilles tendon problem at Tirreno-Adriatico but like every Italian, he grew dreaming of riding La Classicissima.<\/p>\n<p>The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe line-up includes Laurence Pithie, Tim van Dijke and Danny van Poppel, but Pellizzari could be a dark horse if the race explodes on the Cipressa.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-paris-nice-outsiders-3\">The Paris-Nice outsiders<\/h2>\n<p id=\"fd50fdbc-dd11-420a-9f9a-85f833fc680f\">All roads lead to San Remo in late March, but few riders now use Paris-Nice to peak for the first Monument of the season, most contenders opting for Italy instead.<\/p>\n<p>The last time the winner of Milan-San Remo came from Paris-Nice was in 2021, when Jasper Stuyven emerged to win a 17-rider sprint, after the race came back together after attacks on the Poggio. Matej Mohori\u010d rode neither stage race before he won in 2022, but his famous dropper seatpost played as much of a part as his preparation.<\/p>\n<p>Most riders opt for Tirreno-Adriatico before Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics because of the better weather, al dente pasta, fast racing, and the automatic adaptation to Italian road layouts. There is no time to still be learning about Italian traffic furniture when you&#8217;re tearing down the Ligurian coastline at 50kph on race day.<\/p>\n<p>RCS Sport helps the San Remo contenders by including several hilly stages over 200km in Tirreno, which prepares riders for the 298km on Saturday. Additionally, this year, the race avoided any mountain top finishes to avoid racing above the snow line in the central Italian Apennines.<\/p>\n<p>Biniam Girmay (NSN) and Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost) were the only real Milan-San Remo outsiders in action in Paris-Nice. Notably, both riders wisely chose not to finish stage 8.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"902d9415-3d8e-41f0-a644-bbffd881c24d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lamperti won the opening stage in France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"6d1ff9ed-5071-4687-9d2d-805e9c6e2428\">Earlier this year, Tom Pidcock and Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5) chose a less-travelled path, going to Chile to train at altitude. Following Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recent plan, they skipped both Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. It will be interesting to see how they perform, having not raced in a stage event in the weeks leading up to their next competition.<\/p>\n<p>Modern cycling has ripped up many of pro cycling&#8217;s traditions, and the big-name riders no longer stay in Italy after Tirreno-Adriatico, after the race\u2019s finish moved to a Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>There are no longer trips along the autostrada to San Remo for a final recon and a series of Italian coffee rides. Only a few major teams and domestiques will ride Wednesday&#8217;s Milano-Torino, which has become a victim of its own race cannibalisation.<\/p>\n<p>Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and other sprinters will ride Nokere Koerse in Belgium on Wednesday as a final tune-up before flying to Italy on Thursday or Friday. Racing this week can be risky, however. Last year, Philipsen crashed in Nokere Koerse, which derailed his hopes in San Remo. He is staying the course and looking for a morale-boosting first win of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, teammate Mathieu van der Poel has chosen the quiet, safe canal paths at home to avoid risks. He did the necessary work during Tirreno-Adriatico and can now simply count down the days to the first Monument of 2026 and, potentially, another victory on Via Roma.<\/p>\n<p id=\"d921956f-17de-4d3c-a684-9d0fb99f53d7\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo should be fun&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel shows he is ready for the Classics with Tirreno-Adriatico tactical masterclass<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Never say never\u2026&#8217; &#8211; Tirreno-Adriatico sprint win gives Jonathan Milan a glimpse of hope for Milan-San Remo sprint finish<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Strade Bianche on the horizon but Milan-San Remo on the mind \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar sets unofficial Strava record on the Cipressa<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can&#8217;t do more than what he is doing now&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen aiming for Flemish Classics as Milan-San Remo all but ruled out<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Trofeo Alfredo Binda: Karlijn Swinkels edges Anna van der Breggen to claim first WorldTour victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Isaac del Toro seals overall victory as Jonathan Milan wins stage 7 sprint for third consecutive year<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Paris-Nice: Jonas Vingegaard secures GC title but gets pipped to stage 8 victory by Lenny Martinez in narrow two-up sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;For better or worse, teams are here&#8217; &#8211; The rosters in 2026 as riders join forces for off-road alliances as the next evolution of gravel and endurance MTB racing takes shape<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Riders to watch at Cape Epic 2026 \u2013 Mountain bike stars, gravel pros and Epic veterans form strong and open field for 700km challenge<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was breaking power records left, right, and centre last year and still not winning&#8217; \u2013 Adam Yates on the harsh reality of keeping up in modern cycling&#8217;s constantly improving peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico are traditionally the spring&#8217;s most important Grand Tour preparation races, but do they actually tell us anything?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">SunGod Airas Iris Photochromic glasses review: For when the weather can\u2019t make up its mind<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-16T19:53:24Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Italian race still offers the best preparation for Milan-San Remo and &#8216;race hardness&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel only added to his stocks at Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"e01be54d-3d13-4d2c-ab5a-3b17d7edaad8\">Italy isn\u2019t just great for pasta and coffee. Despite a packed early-season calendar, Tirreno-Adriatico still offers the best path to peak form for Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics.<\/p>\n<p>The weather is generally better than Paris-Nice, which was struck by disastrous conditions again this year, conditions that Classics riders consider too great a risk. The racing at Tirreno-Adriatico is typically less intense, allowing the one-day specialists a gentler on-ramp to peak form. So when it comes to searching for hints about how Milan-San Remo might go, Tirreno is the place to look.<\/p>\n<p id=\"e01be54d-3d13-4d2c-ab5a-3b17d7edaad8-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This year, three of the four main Milan-San Remo favourites chose to compete in Italy last week in search of what Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) succinctly described as &#8220;race hardness&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo should be fun&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel shows he is ready for the Classics with Tirreno-Adriatico tactical masterclass<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Never say never\u2026&#8217; &#8211; Tirreno-Adriatico sprint win gives Jonathan Milan a glimpse of hope for Milan-San Remo sprint finish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>While every other four or five-star contender for <em>La Classicissima<\/em> was in Italy for the seven stages of Tirreno-Adriatico, Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) stayed at home to follow his unique Spring Classics plan that stretches across the next six weekends, culminating in Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His number one rival, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), chose Tirreno for a week of hard racing, and it appeared to polish his form to perfection. Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) also honed his form and race tactics, careful to win the time trial but did not chase the GC after last year&#8217;s fight for second place forced him to go too deep.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There were serious doubts about Van Aert&#8217;s form due to the injuries he sustained during the cyclocross season. He suffered every day during Tirreno-Adriatico, with his desire to win leading to tactical errors, but on Sunday night, he headed home to Belgium for a few days of rest, knowing his form was on the rise.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"14765c37-bdce-496d-8a50-4fec1a623dec\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert didn&#8217;t manage a top result in Italy but had some good hit-outs <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"0ef9bc85-5bfc-41ef-be2b-f15f9c03c390\">Unlike previous years, this season Van Aert ripped up the Visma-Lease a Bike training manual and insisted on riding Tirreno-Adriatico this year rather than a block of March altitude training, and seemed pleased with the results.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;You can\u2019t simulate this work in training,&#8221; he said after a week of suffering ended with a smile and good legs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Even with a good training schedule, you always choose a certain comfort zone. Here, the pace is set by someone else; you have to ride in a peloton and respond to attacks. You need that race feeling. It\u2019s a clich\u00e9, but you can\u2019t replicate that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mathieu-van-der-poel-turns-his-form-up-to-11-3\">Mathieu van der Poel turns his form up to 11<\/h2>\n<p id=\"d30a4fd1-c395-42cc-81e5-746f11dae242\">Flemish newspaper <em>Nieuwsblad<\/em> gave Mathieu van der Poel 11 out of 10 for his performance in Tirreno-Adriatico. It is a hyperbolic vote, but it indicates that the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider&#8217;s form is superb and that his projected performances in the upcoming Monuments, starting with Milan-San Remo, are strong.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Strade Bianche on the horizon but Milan-San Remo on the mind \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar sets unofficial Strava record on the Cipressa<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The Dutchman was outstanding at Tirreno-Adriatico, putting the fear of God into his rivals, and perhaps even Tadej Poga\u010dar, who was surely watching from home, with his two victories.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We saw what form Mathieu is in. With a scenario like last year [in Milan-San Remo], it is really difficult for 99% of the peloton to aim for the top prize,&#8221; Dries De Bondt (Jayco-AlUla) told Sporza.<\/p>\n<p>I witnessed how relaxed Van der Poel was at stage starts and noted how he found ways to have fun and work on his fitness on every stage in Italy.<\/p>\n<p>He won in San Gimignano after an attack on the final gravel sector and a climb to the finish. In Martinsicuro, he made sure he was part of the selection over the late climbs and then dominated the sprint. It seemed like a perfect dress rehearsal for the Milan-San Remo sprint.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"6dc5d008-90b8-45b1-9967-be03ef967904\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel laid down the power on the gravel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"8ae380a8-4676-4a18-a1c8-accc8dd6a8cd\">On stage 5, Van der Poel struggled to stay in the GC group on the climbs for a while, then on stage 7, he dragged the peloton over an early climb at speed to drop the sprinters. Every stage seemed part of a training plan that pushed his fitness without overexerting him.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel headed home to the Netherlands from Italy, knowing Tirreno had given him everything he had hoped for. Now he just needs to stay healthy for Saturday&#8217;s first showdown with Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"no-time-for-del-toro-to-switch-off-as-uae-team-emirates-face-milan-san-remo-selection-dilemma-3\">No time for Del Toro to switch off as UAE Team Emirates face Milan-San Remo selection dilemma<\/h2>\n<p id=\"95d35361-c489-4b41-901b-cdeb2748aed5\">The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad celebrated Isaac del Toro&#8217;s overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico but it will be interesting to see what impact their hard work has on their final roster for Milan-San Remo and the Mexican&#8217;s ability to help Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>Del Toro went deep to take one of the biggest achievements of his career but now faces a major supporting role on Saturday. He can&#8217;t yet fully stop, savour his success and relax.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"d9cfb731-19e5-46cd-b6b9-3cd8bcef6310\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Del Toro took an important win, but could it have cost him? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"c20b4bba-cc30-4163-8468-1d7ace3009b2\">Del Toro promised total dedication to Poga\u010dar, but this will only be his third time racing Milan-San Remo. The Mexican will have to step up and replace the injured Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez, and lead out Poga\u010dar&#8217;s expected attack on the Cipressa. Del Toro probably has the physical ability to play that role, but it remains to be seen if he can handle the pressure and fight for position.<\/p>\n<p>The final UAE Team Emirates lineup for Milan-San Remo remains unconfirmed due to injuries and fatigue, leaving sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez and his directors with the tough task of building a team to support Poga\u010dar&#8217;s high ambitions.<\/p>\n<p>Florian Vermeersch is expected to play a key role alongside Del Toro. Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy could also be good for an early surge on the Cipressa. However, the team are missing several other strong support options: Brandon McNulty crashed out of Paris-Nice, Jan Christen is fatigued after racing full gas since the AlUla Tour, and Kevin Vermaerke also crashed hard during Tirreno-Adriatico.<\/p>\n<p>Domen Novak could play an early role and has Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trust. Marc Soler may be called up for an extra shift before the Volta a Catalunya. Whatever the final selection, the seven-rider UAE roster for Milan-San Remo no longer has a powerful tail, and Poga\u010dar might have to take that into account.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"watch-out-for-jorgenson-and-pellizzari-3\">Watch out for Jorgenson and Pellizzari<\/h2>\n<p id=\"287ccf6c-6a26-49db-92a1-9936e62c3872\">The 2025 Milan-San Remo was a three-rider battle between Poga\u010dar, Van der Poel and Ganna, the trio going away on the Cipressa due to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s aggression and then sprinting up the Via Roma together. I&#8217;m expecting a different, more open race on Saturday, especially with a risk of rain and a tailwind along the coast.<\/p>\n<p>Wout van Aert seems to have the form and talents to join them on the Cipressa this year, and others could also have a chance based on their recent performances at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. Matteo Jorgenson and Christophe Laporte will back Van Aert, and the American could be especially useful on the Cipressa, where a sustained power effort is vital.<\/p>\n<p>After this week, Jorgenson will head to altitude to prepare for the Ardennes rather than join his teammates on the cobbles, but Milan-San Remo could see the Visma bees back at their best. If the big names cancel each other out, Laporte could come back from the chase group to win a bigger group sprint in San Remo.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"2efe91a8-d230-494e-b099-f0a20e80cafb\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Matteo Jorgenson is yet to win this year, but looked strong In Tirreno, a change from his usual Paris-Nice programme <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"4ccfa109-c84e-4f7d-985f-4db150f47c01\">Third overall in Tirreno, Giulio Pellizzari will lead Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe at the Giro d&#8217;Italia but has the physique and love for racing needed for Milan-San Remo. He was slowed by an Achilles tendon problem at Tirreno-Adriatico but like every Italian, he grew dreaming of riding La Classicissima.<\/p>\n<p>The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe line-up includes Laurence Pithie, Tim van Dijke and Danny van Poppel, but Pellizzari could be a dark horse if the race explodes on the Cipressa.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-paris-nice-outsiders-3\">The Paris-Nice outsiders<\/h2>\n<p id=\"fd50fdbc-dd11-420a-9f9a-85f833fc680f\">All roads lead to San Remo in late March, but few riders now use Paris-Nice to peak for the first Monument of the season, most contenders opting for Italy instead.<\/p>\n<p>The last time the winner of Milan-San Remo came from Paris-Nice was in 2021, when Jasper Stuyven emerged to win a 17-rider sprint, after the race came back together after attacks on the Poggio. Matej Mohori\u010d rode neither stage race before he won in 2022, but his famous dropper seatpost played as much of a part as his preparation.<\/p>\n<p>Most riders opt for Tirreno-Adriatico before Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics because of the better weather, al dente pasta, fast racing, and the automatic adaptation to Italian road layouts. There is no time to still be learning about Italian traffic furniture when you&#8217;re tearing down the Ligurian coastline at 50kph on race day.<\/p>\n<p>RCS Sport helps the San Remo contenders by including several hilly stages over 200km in Tirreno, which prepares riders for the 298km on Saturday. Additionally, this year, the race avoided any mountain top finishes to avoid racing above the snow line in the central Italian Apennines.<\/p>\n<p>Biniam Girmay (NSN) and Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost) were the only real Milan-San Remo outsiders in action in Paris-Nice. Notably, both riders wisely chose not to finish stage 8.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"902d9415-3d8e-41f0-a644-bbffd881c24d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lamperti won the opening stage in France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"6d1ff9ed-5071-4687-9d2d-805e9c6e2428\">Earlier this year, Tom Pidcock and Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5) chose a less-travelled path, going to Chile to train at altitude. Following Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recent plan, they skipped both Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. It will be interesting to see how they perform, having not raced in a stage event in the weeks leading up to their next competition.<\/p>\n<p>Modern cycling has ripped up many of pro cycling&#8217;s traditions, and the big-name riders no longer stay in Italy after Tirreno-Adriatico, after the race\u2019s finish moved to a Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>There are no longer trips along the autostrada to San Remo for a final recon and a series of Italian coffee rides. Only a few major teams and domestiques will ride Wednesday&#8217;s Milano-Torino, which has become a victim of its own race cannibalisation.<\/p>\n<p>Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and other sprinters will ride Nokere Koerse in Belgium on Wednesday as a final tune-up before flying to Italy on Thursday or Friday. Racing this week can be risky, however. Last year, Philipsen crashed in Nokere Koerse, which derailed his hopes in San Remo. He is staying the course and looking for a morale-boosting first win of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, teammate Mathieu van der Poel has chosen the quiet, safe canal paths at home to avoid risks. He did the necessary work during Tirreno-Adriatico and can now simply count down the days to the first Monument of 2026 and, potentially, another victory on Via Roma.<\/p>\n<p id=\"d921956f-17de-4d3c-a684-9d0fb99f53d7\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo should be fun&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel shows he is ready for the Classics with Tirreno-Adriatico tactical masterclass<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Never say never\u2026&#8217; &#8211; Tirreno-Adriatico sprint win gives Jonathan Milan a glimpse of hope for Milan-San Remo sprint finish<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Strade Bianche on the horizon but Milan-San Remo on the mind \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar sets unofficial Strava record on the Cipressa<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can&#8217;t do more than what he is doing now&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen aiming for Flemish Classics as Milan-San Remo all but ruled out<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SHtwaqfsSb3YdQFXYt4XXA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Trofeo Alfredo Binda: Karlijn Swinkels edges Anna van der Breggen to claim first WorldTour victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Isaac del Toro seals overall victory as Jonathan Milan wins stage 7 sprint for third consecutive year<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RQUAxG2GKjzyvZ4C3NPu57-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Paris-Nice: Jonas Vingegaard secures GC title but gets pipped to stage 8 victory by Lenny Martinez in narrow two-up sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;For better or worse, teams are here&#8217; &#8211; The rosters in 2026 as riders join forces for off-road alliances as the next evolution of gravel and endurance MTB racing takes shape<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Riders to watch at Cape Epic 2026 \u2013 Mountain bike stars, gravel pros and Epic veterans form strong and open field for 700km challenge<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was breaking power records left, right, and centre last year and still not winning&#8217; \u2013 Adam Yates on the harsh reality of keeping up in modern cycling&#8217;s constantly improving peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico are traditionally the spring&#8217;s most important Grand Tour preparation races, but do they actually tell us anything?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">SunGod Airas Iris Photochromic glasses review: For when the weather can\u2019t make up its mind<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-16T19:53:24Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Italian race still offers the best preparation for Milan-San Remo and &#8216;race hardness&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Despite a packed early-season calendar, Tirreno-Adriatico still offers the best path to peak form for Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics.<\/p>\n<p>The weather is generally better than Paris-Nice, which was struck by disastrous conditions again this year, conditions that Classics riders consider too great a risk. The racing at Tirreno-Adriatico is typically less intense, allowing the one-day specialists a gentler on-ramp to peak form. So when it comes to searching for hints about how Milan-San Remo might go, Tirreno is the place to look.<\/p>\n<p id=\"e01be54d-3d13-4d2c-ab5a-3b17d7edaad8-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This year, three of the four main Milan-San Remo favourites chose to compete in Italy last week in search of what Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) succinctly described as &#8220;race hardness&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xMH7UKbmKtyqUzWHF6JoST-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo should be fun&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel shows he is ready for the Classics with Tirreno-Adriatico tactical masterclass<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LDhcEgEBPgQ474abPdVAt6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Never say never\u2026&#8217; &#8211; Tirreno-Adriatico sprint win gives Jonathan Milan a glimpse of hope for Milan-San Remo sprint finish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>While every other four or five-star contender for <em>La Classicissima<\/em> was in Italy for the seven stages of Tirreno-Adriatico, Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) stayed at home to follow his unique Spring Classics plan that stretches across the next six weekends, culminating in Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His number one rival, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), chose Tirreno for a week of hard racing, and it appeared to polish his form to perfection. Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) also honed his form and race tactics, careful to win the time trial but did not chase the GC after last year&#8217;s fight for second place forced him to go too deep.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There were serious doubts about Van Aert&#8217;s form due to the injuries he sustained during the cyclocross season. He suffered every day during Tirreno-Adriatico, with his desire to win leading to tactical errors, but on Sunday night, he headed home to Belgium for a few days of rest, knowing his form was on the rise.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"14765c37-bdce-496d-8a50-4fec1a623dec\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/teNsnbAYKqAaMX4L6jRAoU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert didn&#8217;t manage a top result in Italy but had some good hit-outs <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"0ef9bc85-5bfc-41ef-be2b-f15f9c03c390\">Unlike previous years, this season Van Aert ripped up the Visma-Lease a Bike training manual and insisted on riding Tirreno-Adriatico this year rather than a block of March altitude training, and seemed pleased with the results.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ddEpVBpi48RwfKYktviEoS slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;You can\u2019t simulate this work in training,&#8221; he said after a week of suffering ended with a smile and good legs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Even with a good training schedule, you always choose a certain comfort zone. Here, the pace is set by someone else; you have to ride in a peloton and respond to attacks. You need that race feeling. It\u2019s a clich\u00e9, but you can\u2019t replicate that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mathieu-van-der-poel-turns-his-form-up-to-11-3\">Mathieu van der Poel turns his form up to 11<\/h2>\n<p id=\"d30a4fd1-c395-42cc-81e5-746f11dae242\">Flemish newspaper <em>Nieuwsblad<\/em> gave Mathieu van der Poel 11 out of 10 for his performance in Tirreno-Adriatico. It is a hyperbolic vote, but it indicates that the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider&#8217;s form is superb and that his projected performances in the upcoming Monuments, starting with Milan-San Remo, are strong.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fJWZrq4jLRmJ94SGdxouDY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Strade Bianche on the horizon but Milan-San Remo on the mind \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar sets unofficial Strava record on the Cipressa<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ut5sNvCNcbCA9zyqjAKVPc-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s only a matter of time before he wins Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel braces himself for first face-off with Tadej Poga\u010dar in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The Dutchman was outstanding at Tirreno-Adriatico, putting the fear of God into his rivals, and perhaps even Tadej Poga\u010dar, who was surely watching from home, with his two victories.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We saw what form Mathieu is in. With a scenario like last year [in Milan-San Remo], it is really difficult for 99% of the peloton to aim for the top prize,&#8221; Dries De Bondt (Jayco-AlUla) told Sporza.<\/p>\n<p>I witnessed how relaxed Van der Poel was at stage starts and noted how he found ways to have fun and work on his fitness on every stage in Italy.<\/p>\n<p>He won in San Gimignano after an attack on the final gravel sector and a climb to the finish. In Martinsicuro, he made sure he was part of the selection over the late climbs and then dominated the sprint. It seemed like a perfect dress rehearsal for the Milan-San Remo sprint.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"6dc5d008-90b8-45b1-9967-be03ef967904\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Ssvg34juQufTMhNDFhvPN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel laid down the power on the gravel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"8ae380a8-4676-4a18-a1c8-accc8dd6a8cd\">On stage 5, Van der Poel struggled to stay in the GC group on the climbs for a while, then on stage 7, he dragged the peloton over an early climb at speed to drop the sprinters. Every stage seemed part of a training plan that pushed his fitness without overexerting him.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel headed home to the Netherlands from Italy, knowing Tirreno had given him everything he had hoped for. Now he just needs to stay healthy for Saturday&#8217;s first showdown with Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"no-time-for-del-toro-to-switch-off-as-uae-team-emirates-face-milan-san-remo-selection-dilemma-3\">No time for Del Toro to switch off as UAE Team Emirates face Milan-San Remo selection dilemma<\/h2>\n<p id=\"95d35361-c489-4b41-901b-cdeb2748aed5\">The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad celebrated Isaac del Toro&#8217;s overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico but it will be interesting to see what impact their hard work has on their final roster for Milan-San Remo and the Mexican&#8217;s ability to help Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>Del Toro went deep to take one of the biggest achievements of his career but now faces a major supporting role on Saturday. He can&#8217;t yet fully stop, savour his success and relax.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"d9cfb731-19e5-46cd-b6b9-3cd8bcef6310\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5QvVtTsvvbWyP5wtyowWQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Del Toro took an important win, but could it have cost him? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"c20b4bba-cc30-4163-8468-1d7ace3009b2\">Del Toro promised total dedication to Poga\u010dar, but this will only be his third time racing Milan-San Remo. The Mexican will have to step up and replace the injured Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez, and lead out Poga\u010dar&#8217;s expected attack on the Cipressa. Del Toro probably has the physical ability to play that role, but it remains to be seen if he can handle the pressure and fight for position.<\/p>\n<p>The final UAE Team Emirates lineup for Milan-San Remo remains unconfirmed due to injuries and fatigue, leaving sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez and his directors with the tough task of building a team to support Poga\u010dar&#8217;s high ambitions.<\/p>\n<p>Florian Vermeersch is expected to play a key role alongside Del Toro. Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy could also be good for an early surge on the Cipressa. However, the team are missing several other strong support options: Brandon McNulty crashed out of Paris-Nice, Jan Christen is fatigued after racing full gas since the AlUla Tour, and Kevin Vermaerke also crashed hard during Tirreno-Adriatico.<\/p>\n<p>Domen Novak could play an early role and has Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trust. Marc Soler may be called up for an extra shift before the Volta a Catalunya. Whatever the final selection, the seven-rider UAE roster for Milan-San Remo no longer has a powerful tail, and Poga\u010dar might have to take that into account.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"watch-out-for-jorgenson-and-pellizzari-3\">Watch out for Jorgenson and Pellizzari<\/h2>\n<p id=\"287ccf6c-6a26-49db-92a1-9936e62c3872\">The 2025 Milan-San Remo was a three-rider battle between Poga\u010dar, Van der Poel and Ganna, the trio going away on the Cipressa due to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s aggression and then sprinting up the Via Roma together. I&#8217;m expecting a different, more open race on Saturday, especially with a risk of rain and a tailwind along the coast.<\/p>\n<p>Wout van Aert seems to have the form and talents to join them on the Cipressa this year, and others could also have a chance based on their recent performances at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. Matteo Jorgenson and Christophe Laporte will back Van Aert, and the American could be especially useful on the Cipressa, where a sustained power effort is vital.<\/p>\n<p>After this week, Jorgenson will head to altitude to prepare for the Ardennes rather than join his teammates on the cobbles, but Milan-San Remo could see the Visma bees back at their best. If the big names cancel each other out, Laporte could come back from the chase group to win a bigger group sprint in San Remo.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"2efe91a8-d230-494e-b099-f0a20e80cafb\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkWaoThQ5nVWXYp8o6cukS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Matteo Jorgenson is yet to win this year, but looked strong In Tirreno, a change from his usual Paris-Nice programme <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"4ccfa109-c84e-4f7d-985f-4db150f47c01\">Third overall in Tirreno, Giulio Pellizzari will lead Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe at the Giro d&#8217;Italia but has the physique and love for racing needed for Milan-San Remo. He was slowed by an Achilles tendon problem at Tirreno-Adriatico but like every Italian, he grew dreaming of riding La Classicissima.<\/p>\n<p>The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe line-up includes Laurence Pithie, Tim van Dijke and Danny van Poppel, but Pellizzari could be a dark horse if the race explodes on the Cipressa.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-paris-nice-outsiders-3\">The Paris-Nice outsiders<\/h2>\n<p id=\"fd50fdbc-dd11-420a-9f9a-85f833fc680f\">All roads lead to San Remo in late March, but few riders now use Paris-Nice to peak for the first Monument of the season, most contenders opting for Italy instead.<\/p>\n<p>The last time the winner of Milan-San Remo came from Paris-Nice was in 2021, when Jasper Stuyven emerged to win a 17-rider sprint, after the race came back together after attacks on the Poggio. Matej Mohori\u010d rode neither stage race before he won in 2022, but his famous dropper seatpost played as much of a part as his preparation.<\/p>\n<p>Most riders opt for Tirreno-Adriatico before Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics because of the better weather, al dente pasta, fast racing, and the automatic adaptation to Italian road layouts. There is no time to still be learning about Italian traffic furniture when you&#8217;re tearing down the Ligurian coastline at 50kph on race day.<\/p>\n<p>RCS Sport helps the San Remo contenders by including several hilly stages over 200km in Tirreno, which prepares riders for the 298km on Saturday. Additionally, this year, the race avoided any mountain top finishes to avoid racing above the snow line in the central Italian Apennines.<\/p>\n<p>Biniam Girmay (NSN) and Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost) were the only real Milan-San Remo outsiders in action in Paris-Nice. Notably, both riders wisely chose not to finish stage 8.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"902d9415-3d8e-41f0-a644-bbffd881c24d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PZWSH5Q5fJXVxLdhhNTDSi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lamperti won the opening stage in France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"6d1ff9ed-5071-4687-9d2d-805e9c6e2428\">Earlier this year, Tom Pidcock and Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5) chose a less-travelled path, going to Chile to train at altitude. Following Poga\u010dar&#8217;s recent plan, they skipped both Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. It will be interesting to see how they perform, having not raced in a stage event in the weeks leading up to their next competition.<\/p>\n<p>Modern cycling has ripped up many of pro cycling&#8217;s traditions, and the big-name riders no longer stay in Italy after Tirreno-Adriatico, after the race\u2019s finish moved to a Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>There are no longer trips along the autostrada to San Remo for a final recon and a series of Italian coffee rides. Only a few major teams and domestiques will ride Wednesday&#8217;s Milano-Torino, which has become a victim of its own race cannibalisation.<\/p>\n<p>Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and other sprinters will ride Nokere Koerse in Belgium on Wednesday as a final tune-up before flying to Italy on Thursday or Friday. Racing this week can be risky, however. Last year, Philipsen crashed in Nokere Koerse, which derailed his hopes in San Remo. He is staying the course and looking for a morale-boosting first win of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, teammate Mathieu van der Poel has chosen the quiet, safe canal paths at home to avoid risks. He did the necessary work during Tirreno-Adriatico and can now simply count down the days to the first Monument of 2026 and, potentially, another victory on Via Roma.<\/p>\n<p id=\"d921956f-17de-4d3c-a684-9d0fb99f53d7\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/have-we-already-seen-a-milan-san-remo-dress-rehearsal-heres-what-tirreno-adriatico-and-paris-nice-might-reveal-about-the-first-monument-of-2026\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Milan-San Remo Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026 Features By Stephen Farrand published 16 March 2026 Italian race still offers the best preparation for Milan-San Remo and &#8216;race hardness&#8217; When you purchase through [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1829982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1829982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1829982"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1829982\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1829982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1829982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1829982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}