{"id":1837509,"date":"2026-03-20T17:02:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T14:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1837509"},"modified":"2026-03-20T17:02:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T14:02:55","slug":"no-longo-borghini-no-vos-a-headwind-is-milan-san-remo-women-playing-into-the-sprinters-hands-again-team-directors-analyse-the-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1837509","title":{"rendered":"No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-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>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T17:02:55Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Hopes of a more attacking race may have been dashed by absence of Italian champion, but Movistar and Canyon directors still feel different finale from last year remains possible<\/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\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wiebes is chasing another victory in San Remo, can anyone stop her?<\/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=\"fe0700b4-072a-4569-8a51-b8bfa86c912e\">Back for just its second edition on Saturday, a lot is still unknown about Milan-San Remo Women. The men&#8217;s race, which has been going for 116 years, is still incredibly unpredictable, so imagine how much harder it is to forecast the version we&#8217;ve only seen one edition of to date.<\/p>\n<p>Last year&#8217;s inaugural San Remo finished in a sprint, won by Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) after some attacks on the Poggio cut down the lead group, but didn&#8217;t quite make things hard enough to drop Wiebes. Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) got away in the finale, but with Wiebes&#8217; teammate Lotte Kopecky still in the chasing group, the Belgian was able to close her down and set up the sprint.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fe0700b4-072a-4569-8a51-b8bfa86c912e-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There was some thought last year and going into this weekend&#8217;s race, too, that there may have been a touch of conservatism, as in riders not quite going full-out on climbs they&#8217;d never raced on before. That neatly led onto the idea that this year&#8217;s race might be different, with teams and riders emboldened to do more, go earlier, and even take some inspiration from the men&#8217;s race and attack on the Cipressa &#8211; previously a very unusual tactic.<\/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\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-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;It could be different and even more unpredictable&#8217; \u2013 Elisa Longo Borghini fired up for earlier explosion in Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-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\">Can the sprinters shut down a Poggio attack or will aggressors seize the day? &#8211; Analysing the favourites for the 2026 Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-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;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Up until Friday morning, that certainly seemed like the way the race could go. Longo Borghini was laying out her plans to race aggressively, rival sports directors had an eye on UAE Team ADQ as the most dangerous team, the presence of punchier riders like Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Kopecky eaning things towards a more attacking race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If the main punchy riders are there, and want to try something really aggressive, I think it can be more challenging for fast riders or sprinters who want to fight for the race,&#8221; Movistar sports director Jorge Sanz told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>earlier in the week. &#8220;So I think we can have another opportunity to see a different final.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But over the course of Friday, that idea has taken something of a blow. Longo Borghini was ruled out with illness in the morning, and then Marianne Vos also had to return home for family reasons. The possible biggest aggressor is out, as is the rider beaten by Wiebes in the sprint last year, who would surely have been trying to avoid that again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">What&#8217;s more, as race day has come closer, the weather forecast has become clearer, and it&#8217;s not looking good for the opportunists. Current predictions are for a moderate headwind over the final climbs, which will make attacks harder, and make keeping a bigger group together easier.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n 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 class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;With full headwind, we would have to take it pretty conservative and probably wait, wait, wait, but if it&#8217;s a tailwind, something can happen already on the Cipressa,&#8221; Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto DS Rolf Aldag said. &#8220;If it&#8217;s full headwind and the peloton are stuck with 20kph wind, then usually you go nowhere, and a bigger group is expected.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And if a bigger group gets to the finish, and Wiebes is in it, it seems practically impossible to beat her: such is her prowess in fast finishes, even in the toughest of races.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"who-can-make-the-race-harder-3\">Who can make the race harder?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"64b09e44-f0fe-4e07-90a5-d329f17ad177\">\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\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-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\">The attacks on the Poggio last year were there but didn&#8217;t quite make things hard enough <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"baca15e5-c2d8-4c04-88b5-0d1206b7ddf5\">The preferable scenario for the rest of the peloton, then, is to force a more selective race \u2013 either to drop Wiebes, or at least to isolate her. There is a scenario where Wiebes makes it off the Poggio but loses out to some last-minute moves, if she is alone in the lead group.<\/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\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-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\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-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\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I think she&#8217;s the main contender but it depends a lot how many riders SD Worx can bring to the final,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;Because if she&#8217;s alone, for sure other teams will have more riders and she cannot answer all the riders if they&#8217;re attacking in the last three kilometres. For me she is the main contender, but it depends a lot on who from the team is there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>With Longo Borghini out and Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) not racing, Niewiadoma-Phinney stands out as one of the top candidates to push attacks earlier, perhaps along with Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal).But teams will need buy-in from a lot of riders \u2013 teammates and rivals alike \u2013 to make any attacks work, as it&#8217;s so hard to make the Cipressa and Poggio hard.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking earlier in the week, Sanz picked UAE Team ADQ as clear threats to make things hard as early as the Cipressa. His comments came before Longo Borghini&#8217;s withdrawal, and that throws an obvious complication into that plan. But his points on the teams cohesion and strategic strength still stands, and they could unite behind a different leader.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m expecting a lot from UAE. They showed in the last races that if they are all good and everything is going super. I think they can do a really hard race from the Cipressa in order to make problems for the faster riders,&#8221; Sanz said. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s see if they want to make it really, really hard on the Cipressa. If it&#8217;s really hard on the Cipressa, on the Poggio it&#8217;s easier to make damage there, so let&#8217;s see how UAE are coming. They are showing that they are one of the two, three strongest teams at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>Even before Longo Borghini dropped out, Sanz was clear that the team do have more options than her, with Karlijn Swinkels stepping up to win Trofeo Alfredo Binda, though she won&#8217;t be at San Remo. Instead, Silvia Persico, Eleonora Gasparrini, Dominika W\u0142odarczyk and even Mavi Garc\u00eda are all threats. UAE aren&#8217;t bringing a pure sprinter, so it would make sense to stick to a more attacking plan.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not only Longo Borghini. In Binda we&#8217;ve seen how they performed, how they did a really, really aggressive plan and it was working. Let&#8217;s see what team they will bring to this race,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also SD Worx, Canyon&#8230; It&#8217;s a good team for Kasia and knowing her she will do super in both climbs. I think it will be interesting and a maybe different final than last year.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"29924ea4-3721-4c34-872f-1268ada11e81\">\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\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-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\">Eleonora Gasparrini on the offensive in Trofeo Alfredo Binda <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"845dc627-c7ae-47c5-aa08-035cb9c08d12\">Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto certainly know that Niewiadoma-Phinney, already second in two big Classics so far this year, will be a favourite for a more selective race, but they&#8217;re also trying to cover all bases.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, we always love to ride on the offensive and aggressively, and that&#8217;s probably what we would jointly do with other teams that we believe would have the same theory, and not really wait for the sprint,&#8221; Aldag said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But, Chiara already won this year, so there are for sure two focuses: Kasia, if we can do something on the climbs, and if it&#8217;s going to be a sprint, then it will be a chance for Chiara.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"advantage-wiebes-3\">Advantage Wiebes<\/h2>\n<p id=\"b2b5caec-2f42-420d-864a-b774e45975d7\">As we&#8217;ve already said, though, if it is a sprint, it is exceedingly hard to look past Wiebes and SD Worx.<\/p>\n<p>So what are teams that aren&#8217;t SD Worx-Protime going to do? You might think they should throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, if they think they&#8217;d be beaten in the sprint anyway, but actually directors are likely to tell their riders to sit back and see what happens. In a race like Milan-San Remo, most riders and teams probably would rather wait and finish seventh than attack, get caught and finish 37th.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The most important thing in this race is firstly positioning in order to be more efficient with the efforts,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;Once you are in a good position, [it&#8217;s about] trying to follow because these are not super steep slopes so it&#8217;s to follow, follow, follow and be there in the last downhill and don&#8217;t chase right after and don&#8217;t take any risks, just be there.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In our case, I think we have to super smart to wait for a possible sprint and fight for the race from there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Movistar, who are without their more climbing attacker Liane Lippert as she&#8217;s focusing on other goals, the ceiling of their ambitions will probably be trying to make it in a group that sprints for the win, with Cat Ferguson and Arlenis Sierra their options. Ferguson, much talked up before last year&#8217;s race, had a crash that limited her to 18th, whilst Sierra is taking on her first San Remo after taking maternity leave in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cat will be here, also Arlenis, as our main chances to fight for the race. But I think we are a second line team at this race, so we have to be super awake and aware about what can happen and use the movements of other teams who are making the race,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;We have to be more waiting and watching out to everything that is happening.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"4d9b42ce-5d28-431d-846c-05207c95e31b\">\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\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-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\">Cat Ferguson is dangerous in a sprint <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"d6c7dc0f-0c04-4bd1-86d1-90abcd67b37b\">Could there be a psychological element to try and play with their rivals, trying to capitalise on the possibility of tension between Kopecky and Wiebes, for example? SD Worx&#8217;s tactics aren&#8217;t always water-tight and they&#8217;ve done some odd things in the past<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think the leader will be Wiebes, because if they start to open other options&#8230; No, if Wiebes is in the main group, it has to be all in for her, I think,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;If I was SD Worx, I&#8217;d do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So would probably any DS you asked, but let&#8217;s see if that is the message that comes from the SD Worx team car on Saturday. The odds seem to be stacking up in Wiebes&#8217; favour, so all the team need to do is take advantage: however, women&#8217;s cycling is rarely quite that simple.<\/p>\n<p><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-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/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\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-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\">&#8216;It could be different and even more unpredictable&#8217; \u2013 Elisa Longo Borghini fired up for earlier explosion in Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-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\">Can the sprinters shut down a Poggio attack or will aggressors seize the day? &#8211; Analysing the favourites for the 2026 Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-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;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/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\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-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\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.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\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/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 Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/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\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-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\">2025 runner-up Marianne Vos pulls out of Milan-San Remo at last minute as start list loses another big name<\/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\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-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\">&#8216;A women&#8217;s Il Lombardia will happen but it&#8217;s complicated&#8217; \u2013 RCS Sport working on creating the missing women&#8217;s Monument<\/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\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Illness forces Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini to pull out of Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.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\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-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\">&#8216;It could be different and even more unpredictable&#8217; \u2013 Elisa Longo Borghini fired up for earlier explosion in Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-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\">Can the sprinters shut down a Poggio attack or will aggressors seize the day? &#8211; Analysing the favourites for the 2026 Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-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\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it 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\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-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\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.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\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-320-80.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\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/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\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/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\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-320-80.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\">Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s margin for improvement ahead of Giro d&#8217;Italia, Ineos&#8217; tactical hiccup, and the riders who shone in a brutal Paris-Nice \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/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\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL.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\">2025 runner-up Marianne Vos pulls out of Milan-San Remo at last minute as start list loses another big name<\/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\">No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/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\">How to watch Milan-San Remo 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV channels for La Classicissima<\/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\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/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\">&#8216;I think UAE have a new plan&#8217; \u2013 Here&#8217;s what rival team sports directors expect from Tadej Poga\u010dar in Milan-San Remo<\/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>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T17:02:55Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Hopes of a more attacking race may have been dashed by absence of Italian champion, but Movistar and Canyon directors still feel different finale from last year remains possible<\/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\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wiebes is chasing another victory in San Remo, can anyone stop her?<\/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=\"fe0700b4-072a-4569-8a51-b8bfa86c912e\">Back for just its second edition on Saturday, a lot is still unknown about Milan-San Remo Women. The men&#8217;s race, which has been going for 116 years, is still incredibly unpredictable, so imagine how much harder it is to forecast the version we&#8217;ve only seen one edition of to date.<\/p>\n<p>Last year&#8217;s inaugural San Remo finished in a sprint, won by Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) after some attacks on the Poggio cut down the lead group, but didn&#8217;t quite make things hard enough to drop Wiebes. Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) got away in the finale, but with Wiebes&#8217; teammate Lotte Kopecky still in the chasing group, the Belgian was able to close her down and set up the sprint.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fe0700b4-072a-4569-8a51-b8bfa86c912e-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There was some thought last year and going into this weekend&#8217;s race, too, that there may have been a touch of conservatism, as in riders not quite going full-out on climbs they&#8217;d never raced on before. That neatly led onto the idea that this year&#8217;s race might be different, with teams and riders emboldened to do more, go earlier, and even take some inspiration from the men&#8217;s race and attack on the Cipressa &#8211; previously a very unusual tactic.<\/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\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-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;It could be different and even more unpredictable&#8217; \u2013 Elisa Longo Borghini fired up for earlier explosion in Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-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\">Can the sprinters shut down a Poggio attack or will aggressors seize the day? &#8211; Analysing the favourites for the 2026 Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-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;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Up until Friday morning, that certainly seemed like the way the race could go. Longo Borghini was laying out her plans to race aggressively, rival sports directors had an eye on UAE Team ADQ as the most dangerous team, the presence of punchier riders like Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Kopecky eaning things towards a more attacking race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If the main punchy riders are there, and want to try something really aggressive, I think it can be more challenging for fast riders or sprinters who want to fight for the race,&#8221; Movistar sports director Jorge Sanz told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>earlier in the week. &#8220;So I think we can have another opportunity to see a different final.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But over the course of Friday, that idea has taken something of a blow. Longo Borghini was ruled out with illness in the morning, and then Marianne Vos also had to return home for family reasons. The possible biggest aggressor is out, as is the rider beaten by Wiebes in the sprint last year, who would surely have been trying to avoid that again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">What&#8217;s more, as race day has come closer, the weather forecast has become clearer, and it&#8217;s not looking good for the opportunists. Current predictions are for a moderate headwind over the final climbs, which will make attacks harder, and make keeping a bigger group together easier.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n 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 class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;With full headwind, we would have to take it pretty conservative and probably wait, wait, wait, but if it&#8217;s a tailwind, something can happen already on the Cipressa,&#8221; Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto DS Rolf Aldag said. &#8220;If it&#8217;s full headwind and the peloton are stuck with 20kph wind, then usually you go nowhere, and a bigger group is expected.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And if a bigger group gets to the finish, and Wiebes is in it, it seems practically impossible to beat her: such is her prowess in fast finishes, even in the toughest of races.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"who-can-make-the-race-harder-3\">Who can make the race harder?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"64b09e44-f0fe-4e07-90a5-d329f17ad177\">\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\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-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\">The attacks on the Poggio last year were there but didn&#8217;t quite make things hard enough <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"baca15e5-c2d8-4c04-88b5-0d1206b7ddf5\">The preferable scenario for the rest of the peloton, then, is to force a more selective race \u2013 either to drop Wiebes, or at least to isolate her. There is a scenario where Wiebes makes it off the Poggio but loses out to some last-minute moves, if she is alone in the lead group.<\/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\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-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\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-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\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I think she&#8217;s the main contender but it depends a lot how many riders SD Worx can bring to the final,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;Because if she&#8217;s alone, for sure other teams will have more riders and she cannot answer all the riders if they&#8217;re attacking in the last three kilometres. For me she is the main contender, but it depends a lot on who from the team is there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>With Longo Borghini out and Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) not racing, Niewiadoma-Phinney stands out as one of the top candidates to push attacks earlier, perhaps along with Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal).But teams will need buy-in from a lot of riders \u2013 teammates and rivals alike \u2013 to make any attacks work, as it&#8217;s so hard to make the Cipressa and Poggio hard.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking earlier in the week, Sanz picked UAE Team ADQ as clear threats to make things hard as early as the Cipressa. His comments came before Longo Borghini&#8217;s withdrawal, and that throws an obvious complication into that plan. But his points on the teams cohesion and strategic strength still stands, and they could unite behind a different leader.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m expecting a lot from UAE. They showed in the last races that if they are all good and everything is going super. I think they can do a really hard race from the Cipressa in order to make problems for the faster riders,&#8221; Sanz said. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s see if they want to make it really, really hard on the Cipressa. If it&#8217;s really hard on the Cipressa, on the Poggio it&#8217;s easier to make damage there, so let&#8217;s see how UAE are coming. They are showing that they are one of the two, three strongest teams at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>Even before Longo Borghini dropped out, Sanz was clear that the team do have more options than her, with Karlijn Swinkels stepping up to win Trofeo Alfredo Binda, though she won&#8217;t be at San Remo. Instead, Silvia Persico, Eleonora Gasparrini, Dominika W\u0142odarczyk and even Mavi Garc\u00eda are all threats. UAE aren&#8217;t bringing a pure sprinter, so it would make sense to stick to a more attacking plan.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not only Longo Borghini. In Binda we&#8217;ve seen how they performed, how they did a really, really aggressive plan and it was working. Let&#8217;s see what team they will bring to this race,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also SD Worx, Canyon&#8230; It&#8217;s a good team for Kasia and knowing her she will do super in both climbs. I think it will be interesting and a maybe different final than last year.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"29924ea4-3721-4c34-872f-1268ada11e81\">\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\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-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\">Eleonora Gasparrini on the offensive in Trofeo Alfredo Binda <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"845dc627-c7ae-47c5-aa08-035cb9c08d12\">Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto certainly know that Niewiadoma-Phinney, already second in two big Classics so far this year, will be a favourite for a more selective race, but they&#8217;re also trying to cover all bases.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, we always love to ride on the offensive and aggressively, and that&#8217;s probably what we would jointly do with other teams that we believe would have the same theory, and not really wait for the sprint,&#8221; Aldag said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But, Chiara already won this year, so there are for sure two focuses: Kasia, if we can do something on the climbs, and if it&#8217;s going to be a sprint, then it will be a chance for Chiara.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"advantage-wiebes-3\">Advantage Wiebes<\/h2>\n<p id=\"b2b5caec-2f42-420d-864a-b774e45975d7\">As we&#8217;ve already said, though, if it is a sprint, it is exceedingly hard to look past Wiebes and SD Worx.<\/p>\n<p>So what are teams that aren&#8217;t SD Worx-Protime going to do? You might think they should throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, if they think they&#8217;d be beaten in the sprint anyway, but actually directors are likely to tell their riders to sit back and see what happens. In a race like Milan-San Remo, most riders and teams probably would rather wait and finish seventh than attack, get caught and finish 37th.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The most important thing in this race is firstly positioning in order to be more efficient with the efforts,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;Once you are in a good position, [it&#8217;s about] trying to follow because these are not super steep slopes so it&#8217;s to follow, follow, follow and be there in the last downhill and don&#8217;t chase right after and don&#8217;t take any risks, just be there.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In our case, I think we have to super smart to wait for a possible sprint and fight for the race from there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Movistar, who are without their more climbing attacker Liane Lippert as she&#8217;s focusing on other goals, the ceiling of their ambitions will probably be trying to make it in a group that sprints for the win, with Cat Ferguson and Arlenis Sierra their options. Ferguson, much talked up before last year&#8217;s race, had a crash that limited her to 18th, whilst Sierra is taking on her first San Remo after taking maternity leave in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cat will be here, also Arlenis, as our main chances to fight for the race. But I think we are a second line team at this race, so we have to be super awake and aware about what can happen and use the movements of other teams who are making the race,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;We have to be more waiting and watching out to everything that is happening.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"4d9b42ce-5d28-431d-846c-05207c95e31b\">\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\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-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\">Cat Ferguson is dangerous in a sprint <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"d6c7dc0f-0c04-4bd1-86d1-90abcd67b37b\">Could there be a psychological element to try and play with their rivals, trying to capitalise on the possibility of tension between Kopecky and Wiebes, for example? SD Worx&#8217;s tactics aren&#8217;t always water-tight and they&#8217;ve done some odd things in the past<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think the leader will be Wiebes, because if they start to open other options&#8230; No, if Wiebes is in the main group, it has to be all in for her, I think,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;If I was SD Worx, I&#8217;d do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So would probably any DS you asked, but let&#8217;s see if that is the message that comes from the SD Worx team car on Saturday. The odds seem to be stacking up in Wiebes&#8217; favour, so all the team need to do is take advantage: however, women&#8217;s cycling is rarely quite that simple.<\/p>\n<p><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-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/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\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-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\">&#8216;It could be different and even more unpredictable&#8217; \u2013 Elisa Longo Borghini fired up for earlier explosion in Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-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\">Can the sprinters shut down a Poggio attack or will aggressors seize the day? &#8211; Analysing the favourites for the 2026 Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-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;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/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\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-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\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.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\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/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 Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/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\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-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\">2025 runner-up Marianne Vos pulls out of Milan-San Remo at last minute as start list loses another big name<\/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\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-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\">&#8216;A women&#8217;s Il Lombardia will happen but it&#8217;s complicated&#8217; \u2013 RCS Sport working on creating the missing women&#8217;s Monument<\/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\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Illness forces Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini to pull out of Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.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\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-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\">&#8216;It could be different and even more unpredictable&#8217; \u2013 Elisa Longo Borghini fired up for earlier explosion in Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-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\">Can the sprinters shut down a Poggio attack or will aggressors seize the day? &#8211; Analysing the favourites for the 2026 Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZgW4DDUyLA7XprVoA38gdH-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\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it 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\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-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\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.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\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJUknyvtGMxhbEd4pJVUb3-320-80.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\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: All eyes are on Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel, but Isaac del Toro is the danger man at Milan-San Remo<\/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\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/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\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCE6b6hbSX5wbBSrHrFur6-320-80.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\">Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s margin for improvement ahead of Giro d&#8217;Italia, Ineos&#8217; tactical hiccup, and the riders who shone in a brutal Paris-Nice \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/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\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fSfCMjvWiFN6D6XgYgsidL.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\">2025 runner-up Marianne Vos pulls out of Milan-San Remo at last minute as start list loses another big name<\/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\">No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/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\">How to watch Milan-San Remo 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV channels for La Classicissima<\/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\">Chasing perfection on Cipressa and Poggio \u2013 Where have Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG fallen short at Milan-San Remo and how do they finally win it in 2026?<\/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\">&#8216;I think UAE have a new plan&#8217; \u2013 Here&#8217;s what rival team sports directors expect from Tadej Poga\u010dar in Milan-San Remo<\/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>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T17:02:55Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Hopes of a more attacking race may have been dashed by absence of Italian champion, but Movistar and Canyon directors still feel different finale from last year remains possible<\/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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The men&#8217;s race, which has been going for 116 years, is still incredibly unpredictable, so imagine how much harder it is to forecast the version we&#8217;ve only seen one edition of to date.<\/p>\n<p>Last year&#8217;s inaugural San Remo finished in a sprint, won by Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) after some attacks on the Poggio cut down the lead group, but didn&#8217;t quite make things hard enough to drop Wiebes. Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) got away in the finale, but with Wiebes&#8217; teammate Lotte Kopecky still in the chasing group, the Belgian was able to close her down and set up the sprint.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fe0700b4-072a-4569-8a51-b8bfa86c912e-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There was some thought last year and going into this weekend&#8217;s race, too, that there may have been a touch of conservatism, as in riders not quite going full-out on climbs they&#8217;d never raced on before. That neatly led onto the idea that this year&#8217;s race might be different, with teams and riders emboldened to do more, go earlier, and even take some inspiration from the men&#8217;s race and attack on the Cipressa &#8211; previously a very unusual tactic.<\/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\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kSiCVK5Sh7dVN9vitWqXhW-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;It could be different and even more unpredictable&#8217; \u2013 Elisa Longo Borghini fired up for earlier explosion in Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fj6uWzd7FSXK59oFjTcdDQ-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\">Can the sprinters shut down a Poggio attack or will aggressors seize the day? &#8211; Analysing the favourites for the 2026 Milan-San Remo Women<\/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\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-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;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Up until Friday morning, that certainly seemed like the way the race could go. Longo Borghini was laying out her plans to race aggressively, rival sports directors had an eye on UAE Team ADQ as the most dangerous team, the presence of punchier riders like Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Kopecky eaning things towards a more attacking race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If the main punchy riders are there, and want to try something really aggressive, I think it can be more challenging for fast riders or sprinters who want to fight for the race,&#8221; Movistar sports director Jorge Sanz told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>earlier in the week. &#8220;So I think we can have another opportunity to see a different final.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But over the course of Friday, that idea has taken something of a blow. Longo Borghini was ruled out with illness in the morning, and then Marianne Vos also had to return home for family reasons. The possible biggest aggressor is out, as is the rider beaten by Wiebes in the sprint last year, who would surely have been trying to avoid that again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">What&#8217;s more, as race day has come closer, the weather forecast has become clearer, and it&#8217;s not looking good for the opportunists. Current predictions are for a moderate headwind over the final climbs, which will make attacks harder, and make keeping a bigger group together easier.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QcmZDMqtgzcKkLtReKvW9n 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 class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;With full headwind, we would have to take it pretty conservative and probably wait, wait, wait, but if it&#8217;s a tailwind, something can happen already on the Cipressa,&#8221; Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto DS Rolf Aldag said. &#8220;If it&#8217;s full headwind and the peloton are stuck with 20kph wind, then usually you go nowhere, and a bigger group is expected.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And if a bigger group gets to the finish, and Wiebes is in it, it seems practically impossible to beat her: such is her prowess in fast finishes, even in the toughest of races.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"who-can-make-the-race-harder-3\">Who can make the race harder?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"64b09e44-f0fe-4e07-90a5-d329f17ad177\">\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\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbfdqtyoHpSHiagnr4vmWR-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\">The attacks on the Poggio last year were there but didn&#8217;t quite make things hard enough <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"baca15e5-c2d8-4c04-88b5-0d1206b7ddf5\">The preferable scenario for the rest of the peloton, then, is to force a more selective race \u2013 either to drop Wiebes, or at least to isolate her. There is a scenario where Wiebes makes it off the Poggio but loses out to some last-minute moves, if she is alone in the lead group.<\/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\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-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\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/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\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/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\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-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\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I think she&#8217;s the main contender but it depends a lot how many riders SD Worx can bring to the final,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;Because if she&#8217;s alone, for sure other teams will have more riders and she cannot answer all the riders if they&#8217;re attacking in the last three kilometres. For me she is the main contender, but it depends a lot on who from the team is there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>With Longo Borghini out and Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) not racing, Niewiadoma-Phinney stands out as one of the top candidates to push attacks earlier, perhaps along with Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal).But teams will need buy-in from a lot of riders \u2013 teammates and rivals alike \u2013 to make any attacks work, as it&#8217;s so hard to make the Cipressa and Poggio hard.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking earlier in the week, Sanz picked UAE Team ADQ as clear threats to make things hard as early as the Cipressa. His comments came before Longo Borghini&#8217;s withdrawal, and that throws an obvious complication into that plan. But his points on the teams cohesion and strategic strength still stands, and they could unite behind a different leader.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m expecting a lot from UAE. They showed in the last races that if they are all good and everything is going super. I think they can do a really hard race from the Cipressa in order to make problems for the faster riders,&#8221; Sanz said. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s see if they want to make it really, really hard on the Cipressa. If it&#8217;s really hard on the Cipressa, on the Poggio it&#8217;s easier to make damage there, so let&#8217;s see how UAE are coming. They are showing that they are one of the two, three strongest teams at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>Even before Longo Borghini dropped out, Sanz was clear that the team do have more options than her, with Karlijn Swinkels stepping up to win Trofeo Alfredo Binda, though she won&#8217;t be at San Remo. Instead, Silvia Persico, Eleonora Gasparrini, Dominika W\u0142odarczyk and even Mavi Garc\u00eda are all threats. UAE aren&#8217;t bringing a pure sprinter, so it would make sense to stick to a more attacking plan.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not only Longo Borghini. In Binda we&#8217;ve seen how they performed, how they did a really, really aggressive plan and it was working. Let&#8217;s see what team they will bring to this race,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also SD Worx, Canyon&#8230; It&#8217;s a good team for Kasia and knowing her she will do super in both climbs. I think it will be interesting and a maybe different final than last year.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"29924ea4-3721-4c34-872f-1268ada11e81\">\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\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dTjWNKuqsWHW5VnxmiiizA-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\">Eleonora Gasparrini on the offensive in Trofeo Alfredo Binda <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"845dc627-c7ae-47c5-aa08-035cb9c08d12\">Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto certainly know that Niewiadoma-Phinney, already second in two big Classics so far this year, will be a favourite for a more selective race, but they&#8217;re also trying to cover all bases.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, we always love to ride on the offensive and aggressively, and that&#8217;s probably what we would jointly do with other teams that we believe would have the same theory, and not really wait for the sprint,&#8221; Aldag said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But, Chiara already won this year, so there are for sure two focuses: Kasia, if we can do something on the climbs, and if it&#8217;s going to be a sprint, then it will be a chance for Chiara.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"advantage-wiebes-3\">Advantage Wiebes<\/h2>\n<p id=\"b2b5caec-2f42-420d-864a-b774e45975d7\">As we&#8217;ve already said, though, if it is a sprint, it is exceedingly hard to look past Wiebes and SD Worx.<\/p>\n<p>So what are teams that aren&#8217;t SD Worx-Protime going to do? You might think they should throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, if they think they&#8217;d be beaten in the sprint anyway, but actually directors are likely to tell their riders to sit back and see what happens. In a race like Milan-San Remo, most riders and teams probably would rather wait and finish seventh than attack, get caught and finish 37th.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The most important thing in this race is firstly positioning in order to be more efficient with the efforts,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;Once you are in a good position, [it&#8217;s about] trying to follow because these are not super steep slopes so it&#8217;s to follow, follow, follow and be there in the last downhill and don&#8217;t chase right after and don&#8217;t take any risks, just be there.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In our case, I think we have to super smart to wait for a possible sprint and fight for the race from there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Movistar, who are without their more climbing attacker Liane Lippert as she&#8217;s focusing on other goals, the ceiling of their ambitions will probably be trying to make it in a group that sprints for the win, with Cat Ferguson and Arlenis Sierra their options. Ferguson, much talked up before last year&#8217;s race, had a crash that limited her to 18th, whilst Sierra is taking on her first San Remo after taking maternity leave in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cat will be here, also Arlenis, as our main chances to fight for the race. But I think we are a second line team at this race, so we have to be super awake and aware about what can happen and use the movements of other teams who are making the race,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;We have to be more waiting and watching out to everything that is happening.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"4d9b42ce-5d28-431d-846c-05207c95e31b\">\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\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pe4a2Kyfj8yCBN5gG9gKyZ-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\">Cat Ferguson is dangerous in a sprint <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"d6c7dc0f-0c04-4bd1-86d1-90abcd67b37b\">Could there be a psychological element to try and play with their rivals, trying to capitalise on the possibility of tension between Kopecky and Wiebes, for example? SD Worx&#8217;s tactics aren&#8217;t always water-tight and they&#8217;ve done some odd things in the past<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think the leader will be Wiebes, because if they start to open other options&#8230; No, if Wiebes is in the main group, it has to be all in for her, I think,&#8221; Sanz said. &#8220;If I was SD Worx, I&#8217;d do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So would probably any DS you asked, but let&#8217;s see if that is the message that comes from the SD Worx team car on Saturday. The odds seem to be stacking up in Wiebes&#8217; favour, so all the team need to do is take advantage: however, women&#8217;s cycling is rarely quite that simple.<\/p>\n<p><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\/womens-cycling\/no-longo-borghini-no-vos-a-headwind-is-milan-san-remo-women-playing-into-the-sprinters-hands-again-team-directors-analyse-the-race\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Women&#8217;s Cycling Road Milan-San Remo Women No Longo Borghini, no Vos, a headwind \u2013 Is Milan-San Remo Women playing into the sprinters&#8217; hands again? Team directors analyse the race Features By Matilda Price published 20 March 2026 Hopes of a more attacking race may have been dashed by absence [&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-1837509","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\/1837509","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=1837509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837509\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1837509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1837509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1837509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}