{"id":1840916,"date":"2026-03-22T14:04:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T11:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1840916"},"modified":"2026-03-22T14:04:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T11:04:59","slug":"reflections-from-the-mens-milan-san-remo-pogacar-overcomes-the-chaos-prefers-focaccia-to-a-2027-return-mcnultys-work-and-praise-for-van-der-poel-and-pedersen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1840916","title":{"rendered":"Reflections from the men&#8217;s Milan-San Remo \u2013 Poga\u010dar overcomes the chaos, prefers focaccia to a 2027 return, McNulty&#8217;s work, and praise for Van der Poel and Pedersen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-2000-80.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>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Reflections from the men&#8217;s Milan-San Remo \u2013 Poga\u010dar overcomes the chaos, prefers focaccia to a 2027 return, McNulty&#8217;s work, and praise for Van der Poel and Pedersen<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-22T14:04:59Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n22 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Stephen Farrand reflects from San Remo on how Poga\u010dar came back from adversity to make this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo one of the greatest races of all time<\/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\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tadej Poga\u010dar, Tom Pidcock, and Wout van Aert atop the podium of the 2026 Milan-San Remo<\/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=\"e350d309-e9db-4820-b8f5-d71f5fb94dfb\">It&#8217;s difficult to encapsulate the emotions of Milan-San Remo just a few hours after the race. We witnessed one of the best-ever editions of La Primavera, and so one of the best one-day Classics ever. There is still so much to take in, so much to understand, and so much to savour.<\/p>\n<p>Emotions are complex, very human, and so difficult to put into words, just like this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo. What happened during the six and a half hours of racing, and especially in the electrifying final half hour? How did Tadej Poga\u010dar get up from his crash, chase back on, attack on the Cipressa and Poggio and then beat Tom Pidcock in the sprint?<\/p>\n<p id=\"e350d309-e9db-4820-b8f5-d71f5fb94dfb-2\">I stayed awake until 2:00 am after the race on Saturday night, watching replays, thinking back to what I witnessed beyond the finish line chaos on the Via Roma, what riders told me and especially what Tadej Poga\u010dar said post-race.<\/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\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-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;If I come back to San Remo it will only be to eat focaccia&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar hints he may never return after finally winning Milan-San Remo<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar transformed what seemed like the impossible into something unforgettable \u2013 Milan-San Remo analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Yet it feels like we&#8217;ve only scratched the surface and started to appreciate what we saw on Saturday. This year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo is something to discuss and savour for weeks, months and years to come.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On Sunday morning, San Remo was quiet, the Via Roma was empty and soulless, just another road of shops, bars and daily Italian life. Yet the magic of Saturday still lingered in the air. We are all still drunk on the emotions of the race and looking forward to whatever comes next.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">To paraphrase the Tintin meme: &#8220;What a Classics season, huh?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Captain, they&#8217;ve only raced Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo, all the cobbled Classics are still to come\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pogacar-s-crash-and-comeback-3\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s crash and comeback<\/h2>\n<p id=\"17e4dddc-8967-46b6-a0af-3ed9d6072433\">As Alex Roos of <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> wrote in Sunday&#8217;s French sports paper, which had the Tadej Poga\u010dar and Tom Pidcock Via Roma sprint on the front page: &#8220;There is nothing more beautiful than what is imperfect, what goes awry, the unexpected, and Tadej Poga\u010dar won the greatest challenge of his career on Saturday after a completely chaotic scenario.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He demonstrated that no matter how much cycling modernises, no matter how much it bombards us with its watts and kilojoules, it will never be anything without instinct, without that extra something.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That chaos, the unexpected, the way Poga\u010dar, the usual dominant force in cycling, came back from adversity to win Milan-San Remo, is what made it a race for the ages.<\/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\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-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\">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><\/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\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/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\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-150-80.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;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><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Poga\u010dar was close to climbing off or rolling into San Remo along the coast road after his crash.<\/p>\n<p>Then the adrenaline kicked in, his natural determination cancelled the pain, and his teammates were on hand to lead him back to the peloton and to the front on the climb of the Cipressa, inspiring arguably the greatest performance of his career.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s definitely one of the biggest wins in my career,&#8221; Poga\u010dar said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I need to sleep it off a little bit. I don&#8217;t know much about what happened in the final. It just was all out. I still need a moment to realise that we won Milan-San Remo.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"never-race-milan-san-remo-again-tadej-please-race-milan-san-remo-ever-year-tadej-3\">Never race Milan-San Remo again Tadej, please race Milan-San Remo ever year Tadej<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"728237b0-01f7-4d79-9e42-18663dc8a0b4\">\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\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-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\">Could this be last time we see Poga\u010dar flying down the Poggio descent? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"082ea095-9b42-4c84-87a0-74d8cc23ab3a\">Poga\u010dar joked to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> that he only wants to return to San Remo to eat Focaccia, not race and train on the Cipressa and Poggio and the Ligurian roads packed with Italian traffic that he described as &#8216;criminal&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>Having now won Milan-San Remo, Poga\u010dar could decide to never return, never have to focus his winter on training for a Cipressa attack and risk his neck in the Ligurian traffic.<\/p>\n<p>He has shaken off the pressure and speculation that he could never win Milan-San Remo, and ended the obsession that risked driving even Poga\u010dar crazy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This race costs a lot of effort, also mentally. It&#8217;s one of the most unpredictable races I&#8217;ve ever done. I think it is one of the most unpredictable races in the world,&#8221; he admitted.<\/p>\n<p>Never riding Milan-San Remo again would turn his 2026 victory into a mic-drop moment. But it would be a tragedy for us. After what we saw on Saturday, we can only hope that he returns again and again, to challenge the chaos of Milan-San Remo and give us the thrill of the best half an hour of bike racing of the year.<\/p>\n<p>We want a race like that every year, where Poga\u010dar is forced to give his all to win against the odds, elevating his own determination and the performance of his rivals<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mcnulty-shows-his-maturity-with-cipressa-performance-3\">McNulty shows his maturity with Cipressa performance<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"f34182f2-056b-4f95-9bdc-7763c42f84d4\">\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\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-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\">McNulty leading the way up the Cipressa <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"7cf4bf04-5856-4546-93ba-6185f894518f\">American racer Brandon McNulty was happy and emotional beyond the Milan-San Remo finish line, knowing he had played a vital part in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s victory.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty was making his Milan-San Remo debut, replacing injured Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez. UAE Team Emirates-XRG needed him to play a vital role, especially after Jan Christen crashed out early, and McNulty stepped up without fear.<\/p>\n<p>When Poga\u010dar crashed on the approach to the Cipressa, McNulty followed team orders to wait for him at the back of the peloton and then drag him up to the front on the early part of the Cipressa.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty used his power to move past most of the peloton in less than a kilometre, dropping off Poga\u010dar like an experienced leadout man. He could have then eased up, job done. Instead, he went to the front and lined out the peloton with a huge, long surge. Isaac del Toro was behind, with Poga\u010dar in place, ready to attack.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty played a role in transforming chaos into race control.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We came back just at the bottom of the Cipressa, I went as hard as I could to get to the front and then I didn&#8217;t see in the front, but I could hear on the radio that it was crazy,&#8221; McNulty said of his work and how he heard Poga\u010dar&#8217;s victory play out ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar later hugged McNulty with genuine emotion and gratitude, their relationship stronger than ever after Poga\u010dar helped McNulty win the GP de Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s always an honour to ride for him. It was definitely nice to repay him,&#8221; McNulty said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"praise-for-mathieu-van-der-poel-and-mads-pedersen-3\">Praise for Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"c01394fc-7bf6-4b09-a7dc-4bde1130ea5c\">\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\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel played a starring role on Saturday even if his finger injury saw him drop back on the Poggio <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"8b95342e-ca05-4091-bc58-df7af95e37f6\">While Poga\u010dar and his UAE team celebrated in the Via Roma, the defeated were hit by the pain of the race and of disappointment. Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen could especially be proud, however.<\/p>\n<p>I watched the final kilometres near Van der Poel&#8217;s entourage, his father Adri glued to a mobile phone, his mother pacing around like in a prison cell of fear, unable to watch her son suffer and waiting for it all to end.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel stopped near them in the Via Roma, but there was no celebration like in 2023 and 2025, just blood on his hand, growing pain and disappointment. Van der Poel was hit by a bike in the crash and raced the finale with Poga\u010dar in pain, p\u00e8rhaps even with a fractured finger.<\/p>\n<p>He was cruelly distanced on the Poggio and then caught by the chasers, but somehow finished eighth and so fifth in the 35-rider group that came in just four seconds down on Poga\u010dar. He was defeated but could be proud of his race and will surely be back to his best on the cobbles.<\/p>\n<p>Mads Pedersen finished fourth but was rightly proud of his day. It was only his second race of the season after crashing out of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana, where he fractured his right collarbone and left wrist, but he fought all the way to the line with his Lidl-Trek teammates.<\/p>\n<p>They inspired the chase group along the Auralia coast road, reducing the lead of Poga\u010dar, Pidcock and van der Poel to just ten seconds before the Poggio.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s racing,&#8221; Pedersen told <em>Eurosport<\/em> at the finish. &#8220;It&#8217;s, of course, nice to be back, better than expected, so it was a good day. It was a pity I couldn&#8217;t take the podium, but it is what it is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"next-up-for-pogacar-the-cobbles-the-ardennes-and-a-fifth-tour-de-france-3\">Next up for Poga\u010dar \u2013 the cobbles, the Ardennes and a fifth Tour de France<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"5db135a1-e485-4862-8da6-a563d62203e4\">\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\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-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\">Another battle on the cobbles lies in wait for Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"f32c4519-b0af-49c4-a357-e79dc422d478\">Tadej Poga\u010dar understandably wanted to savour his Milan-San Remo victory but will soon head north to Belgium for the Tour of Flanders, then to France for Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>After that comes a trip to the hills for the Ardennes Classics and Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, a race he&#8217;s won three times previously, as he chases more Monument victories.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s not forget that he can also win a record-equallying fifth Tour de France in July.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar was the first world champion to win Milan-San Remo in the rainbow jersey since Beppe Saronni in 1983. In the weeks to come, he can make more cycling history by winning Paris-Roubaix and so completing his collection of the sports Monuments. Only Eddy Merckx has won more Monuments (19 to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s 11), but he has time on his side to rewrite even that record.<\/p>\n<p>For now, Poga\u010dar is just happy to have won Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just so happy now that whatever comes next is fine, I will not beat my head or anything,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, the shape is good, and I will go to Flanders and Roubaix with a strong team. And we go for the win in both races. I&#8217;m looking forward to Flanders and Roubaix now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"1578fd08-ca3c-4fe9-8aa0-0d4334fe0d1c\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics 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><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-U95y4Ta3N2HoETYVYurTnT\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-U95y4Ta3N2HoETYVYurTnT slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-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;If I come back to San Remo it will only be to eat focaccia&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar hints he may never return after finally winning 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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar transformed what seemed like the impossible into something unforgettable \u2013 Milan-San Remo 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 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\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo 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\/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>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-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\">UCI Gravel World Series: Nicole Frain best in three-rider women&#8217;s sprint while Jarno Bellens goes solo to win elite men&#8217;s race at Turnhout Gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-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\">Photo finish at Midwest Cycling Classic goes to Lonneke Uneken as Martina Alzini celebrates too early for a second time<\/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\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-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;If you don&#8217;t take risk, it&#8217;s not topsport&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney gives injury update following Milan-San Remo Women crash<\/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\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-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\">GP Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9: Dylan Groenewegen blasts through final metres and denies breakaway for victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-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;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins 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\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-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;I&#8217;m getting one step closer every year, so maybe next year&#8217; &#8211; Noemi R\u00fcegg emotional after second Milan-San Remo podium<\/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\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar transformed what seemed like the impossible into something unforgettable \u2013 Milan-San Remo 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 class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-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\">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<\/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\/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>\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\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT.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\">UCI Gravel World Series: Nicole Frain best in three-rider women&#8217;s sprint while Jarno Bellens goes solo to win elite men&#8217;s race at Turnhout Gravel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Former Tour de France runner-up and multiple Grand Tour champion Nairo Quintana announces retirement for end of season<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;A tough race full of challenges&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard in high spirits as Volta a Catalunya marks another key stop on the road to the Giro d&#8217;Italia <\/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\">&#8216;It&#8217;s time to win one again&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel escapes the Mount Teide snow to chase first WorldTour stage race win in three years at Volta a Catalunya<\/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\">Photo finish at Midwest Cycling Classic goes to Lonneke Uneken as Martina Alzini celebrates too early for a second time<\/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>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Reflections from the men&#8217;s Milan-San Remo \u2013 Poga\u010dar overcomes the chaos, prefers focaccia to a 2027 return, McNulty&#8217;s work, and praise for Van der Poel and Pedersen<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-22T14:04:59Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n22 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Stephen Farrand reflects from San Remo on how Poga\u010dar came back from adversity to make this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo one of the greatest races of all time<\/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\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tadej Poga\u010dar, Tom Pidcock, and Wout van Aert atop the podium of the 2026 Milan-San Remo<\/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=\"e350d309-e9db-4820-b8f5-d71f5fb94dfb\">It&#8217;s difficult to encapsulate the emotions of Milan-San Remo just a few hours after the race. We witnessed one of the best-ever editions of La Primavera, and so one of the best one-day Classics ever. There is still so much to take in, so much to understand, and so much to savour.<\/p>\n<p>Emotions are complex, very human, and so difficult to put into words, just like this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo. What happened during the six and a half hours of racing, and especially in the electrifying final half hour? How did Tadej Poga\u010dar get up from his crash, chase back on, attack on the Cipressa and Poggio and then beat Tom Pidcock in the sprint?<\/p>\n<p id=\"e350d309-e9db-4820-b8f5-d71f5fb94dfb-2\">I stayed awake until 2:00 am after the race on Saturday night, watching replays, thinking back to what I witnessed beyond the finish line chaos on the Via Roma, what riders told me and especially what Tadej Poga\u010dar said post-race.<\/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\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-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;If I come back to San Remo it will only be to eat focaccia&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar hints he may never return after finally winning Milan-San Remo<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar transformed what seemed like the impossible into something unforgettable \u2013 Milan-San Remo analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Yet it feels like we&#8217;ve only scratched the surface and started to appreciate what we saw on Saturday. This year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo is something to discuss and savour for weeks, months and years to come.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On Sunday morning, San Remo was quiet, the Via Roma was empty and soulless, just another road of shops, bars and daily Italian life. Yet the magic of Saturday still lingered in the air. We are all still drunk on the emotions of the race and looking forward to whatever comes next.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">To paraphrase the Tintin meme: &#8220;What a Classics season, huh?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Captain, they&#8217;ve only raced Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo, all the cobbled Classics are still to come\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pogacar-s-crash-and-comeback-3\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s crash and comeback<\/h2>\n<p id=\"17e4dddc-8967-46b6-a0af-3ed9d6072433\">As Alex Roos of <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> wrote in Sunday&#8217;s French sports paper, which had the Tadej Poga\u010dar and Tom Pidcock Via Roma sprint on the front page: &#8220;There is nothing more beautiful than what is imperfect, what goes awry, the unexpected, and Tadej Poga\u010dar won the greatest challenge of his career on Saturday after a completely chaotic scenario.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He demonstrated that no matter how much cycling modernises, no matter how much it bombards us with its watts and kilojoules, it will never be anything without instinct, without that extra something.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That chaos, the unexpected, the way Poga\u010dar, the usual dominant force in cycling, came back from adversity to win Milan-San Remo, is what made it a race for the ages.<\/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\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-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\">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><\/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\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/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\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-150-80.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;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><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Poga\u010dar was close to climbing off or rolling into San Remo along the coast road after his crash.<\/p>\n<p>Then the adrenaline kicked in, his natural determination cancelled the pain, and his teammates were on hand to lead him back to the peloton and to the front on the climb of the Cipressa, inspiring arguably the greatest performance of his career.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s definitely one of the biggest wins in my career,&#8221; Poga\u010dar said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I need to sleep it off a little bit. I don&#8217;t know much about what happened in the final. It just was all out. I still need a moment to realise that we won Milan-San Remo.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"never-race-milan-san-remo-again-tadej-please-race-milan-san-remo-ever-year-tadej-3\">Never race Milan-San Remo again Tadej, please race Milan-San Remo ever year Tadej<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"728237b0-01f7-4d79-9e42-18663dc8a0b4\">\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\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-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\">Could this be last time we see Poga\u010dar flying down the Poggio descent? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"082ea095-9b42-4c84-87a0-74d8cc23ab3a\">Poga\u010dar joked to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> that he only wants to return to San Remo to eat Focaccia, not race and train on the Cipressa and Poggio and the Ligurian roads packed with Italian traffic that he described as &#8216;criminal&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>Having now won Milan-San Remo, Poga\u010dar could decide to never return, never have to focus his winter on training for a Cipressa attack and risk his neck in the Ligurian traffic.<\/p>\n<p>He has shaken off the pressure and speculation that he could never win Milan-San Remo, and ended the obsession that risked driving even Poga\u010dar crazy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This race costs a lot of effort, also mentally. It&#8217;s one of the most unpredictable races I&#8217;ve ever done. I think it is one of the most unpredictable races in the world,&#8221; he admitted.<\/p>\n<p>Never riding Milan-San Remo again would turn his 2026 victory into a mic-drop moment. But it would be a tragedy for us. After what we saw on Saturday, we can only hope that he returns again and again, to challenge the chaos of Milan-San Remo and give us the thrill of the best half an hour of bike racing of the year.<\/p>\n<p>We want a race like that every year, where Poga\u010dar is forced to give his all to win against the odds, elevating his own determination and the performance of his rivals<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mcnulty-shows-his-maturity-with-cipressa-performance-3\">McNulty shows his maturity with Cipressa performance<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"f34182f2-056b-4f95-9bdc-7763c42f84d4\">\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\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-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\">McNulty leading the way up the Cipressa <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"7cf4bf04-5856-4546-93ba-6185f894518f\">American racer Brandon McNulty was happy and emotional beyond the Milan-San Remo finish line, knowing he had played a vital part in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s victory.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty was making his Milan-San Remo debut, replacing injured Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez. UAE Team Emirates-XRG needed him to play a vital role, especially after Jan Christen crashed out early, and McNulty stepped up without fear.<\/p>\n<p>When Poga\u010dar crashed on the approach to the Cipressa, McNulty followed team orders to wait for him at the back of the peloton and then drag him up to the front on the early part of the Cipressa.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty used his power to move past most of the peloton in less than a kilometre, dropping off Poga\u010dar like an experienced leadout man. He could have then eased up, job done. Instead, he went to the front and lined out the peloton with a huge, long surge. Isaac del Toro was behind, with Poga\u010dar in place, ready to attack.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty played a role in transforming chaos into race control.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We came back just at the bottom of the Cipressa, I went as hard as I could to get to the front and then I didn&#8217;t see in the front, but I could hear on the radio that it was crazy,&#8221; McNulty said of his work and how he heard Poga\u010dar&#8217;s victory play out ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar later hugged McNulty with genuine emotion and gratitude, their relationship stronger than ever after Poga\u010dar helped McNulty win the GP de Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s always an honour to ride for him. It was definitely nice to repay him,&#8221; McNulty said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"praise-for-mathieu-van-der-poel-and-mads-pedersen-3\">Praise for Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"c01394fc-7bf6-4b09-a7dc-4bde1130ea5c\">\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\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel played a starring role on Saturday even if his finger injury saw him drop back on the Poggio <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"8b95342e-ca05-4091-bc58-df7af95e37f6\">While Poga\u010dar and his UAE team celebrated in the Via Roma, the defeated were hit by the pain of the race and of disappointment. Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen could especially be proud, however.<\/p>\n<p>I watched the final kilometres near Van der Poel&#8217;s entourage, his father Adri glued to a mobile phone, his mother pacing around like in a prison cell of fear, unable to watch her son suffer and waiting for it all to end.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel stopped near them in the Via Roma, but there was no celebration like in 2023 and 2025, just blood on his hand, growing pain and disappointment. Van der Poel was hit by a bike in the crash and raced the finale with Poga\u010dar in pain, p\u00e8rhaps even with a fractured finger.<\/p>\n<p>He was cruelly distanced on the Poggio and then caught by the chasers, but somehow finished eighth and so fifth in the 35-rider group that came in just four seconds down on Poga\u010dar. He was defeated but could be proud of his race and will surely be back to his best on the cobbles.<\/p>\n<p>Mads Pedersen finished fourth but was rightly proud of his day. It was only his second race of the season after crashing out of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana, where he fractured his right collarbone and left wrist, but he fought all the way to the line with his Lidl-Trek teammates.<\/p>\n<p>They inspired the chase group along the Auralia coast road, reducing the lead of Poga\u010dar, Pidcock and van der Poel to just ten seconds before the Poggio.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s racing,&#8221; Pedersen told <em>Eurosport<\/em> at the finish. &#8220;It&#8217;s, of course, nice to be back, better than expected, so it was a good day. It was a pity I couldn&#8217;t take the podium, but it is what it is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"next-up-for-pogacar-the-cobbles-the-ardennes-and-a-fifth-tour-de-france-3\">Next up for Poga\u010dar \u2013 the cobbles, the Ardennes and a fifth Tour de France<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"5db135a1-e485-4862-8da6-a563d62203e4\">\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\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-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\">Another battle on the cobbles lies in wait for Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"f32c4519-b0af-49c4-a357-e79dc422d478\">Tadej Poga\u010dar understandably wanted to savour his Milan-San Remo victory but will soon head north to Belgium for the Tour of Flanders, then to France for Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>After that comes a trip to the hills for the Ardennes Classics and Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, a race he&#8217;s won three times previously, as he chases more Monument victories.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s not forget that he can also win a record-equallying fifth Tour de France in July.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar was the first world champion to win Milan-San Remo in the rainbow jersey since Beppe Saronni in 1983. In the weeks to come, he can make more cycling history by winning Paris-Roubaix and so completing his collection of the sports Monuments. Only Eddy Merckx has won more Monuments (19 to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s 11), but he has time on his side to rewrite even that record.<\/p>\n<p>For now, Poga\u010dar is just happy to have won Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just so happy now that whatever comes next is fine, I will not beat my head or anything,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, the shape is good, and I will go to Flanders and Roubaix with a strong team. And we go for the win in both races. I&#8217;m looking forward to Flanders and Roubaix now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"1578fd08-ca3c-4fe9-8aa0-0d4334fe0d1c\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics 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><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-U95y4Ta3N2HoETYVYurTnT\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-U95y4Ta3N2HoETYVYurTnT slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-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;If I come back to San Remo it will only be to eat focaccia&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar hints he may never return after finally winning 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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar transformed what seemed like the impossible into something unforgettable \u2013 Milan-San Remo 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 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\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo 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\/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>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-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\">UCI Gravel World Series: Nicole Frain best in three-rider women&#8217;s sprint while Jarno Bellens goes solo to win elite men&#8217;s race at Turnhout Gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-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\">Photo finish at Midwest Cycling Classic goes to Lonneke Uneken as Martina Alzini celebrates too early for a second time<\/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\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-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;If you don&#8217;t take risk, it&#8217;s not topsport&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney gives injury update following Milan-San Remo Women crash<\/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\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH-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\">GP Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9: Dylan Groenewegen blasts through final metres and denies breakaway for victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-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;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins 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\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-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;I&#8217;m getting one step closer every year, so maybe next year&#8217; &#8211; Noemi R\u00fcegg emotional after second Milan-San Remo podium<\/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\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar transformed what seemed like the impossible into something unforgettable \u2013 Milan-San Remo 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 class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pKetS3pAWqDSRbkArsgyaM-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\">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<\/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\/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>\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\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT.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\">UCI Gravel World Series: Nicole Frain best in three-rider women&#8217;s sprint while Jarno Bellens goes solo to win elite men&#8217;s race at Turnhout Gravel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Former Tour de France runner-up and multiple Grand Tour champion Nairo Quintana announces retirement for end of season<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;A tough race full of challenges&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard in high spirits as Volta a Catalunya marks another key stop on the road to the Giro d&#8217;Italia <\/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\">&#8216;It&#8217;s time to win one again&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel escapes the Mount Teide snow to chase first WorldTour stage race win in three years at Volta a Catalunya<\/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\">Photo finish at Midwest Cycling Classic goes to Lonneke Uneken as Martina Alzini celebrates too early for a second time<\/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>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Reflections from the men&#8217;s Milan-San Remo \u2013 Poga\u010dar overcomes the chaos, prefers focaccia to a 2027 return, McNulty&#8217;s work, and praise for Van der Poel and Pedersen<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-22T14:04:59Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n22 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Stephen Farrand reflects from San Remo on how Poga\u010dar came back from adversity to make this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo one of the greatest races of all time<\/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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We witnessed one of the best-ever editions of La Primavera, and so one of the best one-day Classics ever. There is still so much to take in, so much to understand, and so much to savour.<\/p>\n<p>Emotions are complex, very human, and so difficult to put into words, just like this year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo. What happened during the six and a half hours of racing, and especially in the electrifying final half hour? How did Tadej Poga\u010dar get up from his crash, chase back on, attack on the Cipressa and Poggio and then beat Tom Pidcock in the sprint?<\/p>\n<p id=\"e350d309-e9db-4820-b8f5-d71f5fb94dfb-2\">I stayed awake until 2:00 am after the race on Saturday night, watching replays, thinking back to what I witnessed beyond the finish line chaos on the Via Roma, what riders told me and especially what Tadej Poga\u010dar said post-race.<\/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\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BY895AD7juwycQidKiSaMf-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;If I come back to San Remo it will only be to eat focaccia&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar hints he may never return after finally winning Milan-San Remo<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgSHYTvM2gvmw2YcSDDq7K-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar transformed what seemed like the impossible into something unforgettable \u2013 Milan-San Remo analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Yet it feels like we&#8217;ve only scratched the surface and started to appreciate what we saw on Saturday. This year&#8217;s Milan-San Remo is something to discuss and savour for weeks, months and years to come.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On Sunday morning, San Remo was quiet, the Via Roma was empty and soulless, just another road of shops, bars and daily Italian life. Yet the magic of Saturday still lingered in the air. We are all still drunk on the emotions of the race and looking forward to whatever comes next.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">To paraphrase the Tintin meme: &#8220;What a Classics season, huh?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Captain, they&#8217;ve only raced Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo, all the cobbled Classics are still to come\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pogacar-s-crash-and-comeback-3\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s crash and comeback<\/h2>\n<p id=\"17e4dddc-8967-46b6-a0af-3ed9d6072433\">As Alex Roos of <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> wrote in Sunday&#8217;s French sports paper, which had the Tadej Poga\u010dar and Tom Pidcock Via Roma sprint on the front page: &#8220;There is nothing more beautiful than what is imperfect, what goes awry, the unexpected, and Tadej Poga\u010dar won the greatest challenge of his career on Saturday after a completely chaotic scenario.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He demonstrated that no matter how much cycling modernises, no matter how much it bombards us with its watts and kilojoules, it will never be anything without instinct, without that extra something.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That chaos, the unexpected, the way Poga\u010dar, the usual dominant force in cycling, came back from adversity to win Milan-San Remo, is what made it a race for the ages.<\/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\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-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\">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><\/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\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bF4qY79KNbg9H54ddEqDJC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The Poga\u010dar followers, the fast finishers and the outsiders \u2013 Analysing the Milan-San Remo contenders<\/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\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6-150-80.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;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><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Poga\u010dar was close to climbing off or rolling into San Remo along the coast road after his crash.<\/p>\n<p>Then the adrenaline kicked in, his natural determination cancelled the pain, and his teammates were on hand to lead him back to the peloton and to the front on the climb of the Cipressa, inspiring arguably the greatest performance of his career.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s definitely one of the biggest wins in my career,&#8221; Poga\u010dar said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I need to sleep it off a little bit. I don&#8217;t know much about what happened in the final. It just was all out. I still need a moment to realise that we won Milan-San Remo.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"never-race-milan-san-remo-again-tadej-please-race-milan-san-remo-ever-year-tadej-3\">Never race Milan-San Remo again Tadej, please race Milan-San Remo ever year Tadej<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"728237b0-01f7-4d79-9e42-18663dc8a0b4\">\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\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4ozLedHmXdkMEew3wjLYH-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\">Could this be last time we see Poga\u010dar flying down the Poggio descent? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"082ea095-9b42-4c84-87a0-74d8cc23ab3a\">Poga\u010dar joked to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> that he only wants to return to San Remo to eat Focaccia, not race and train on the Cipressa and Poggio and the Ligurian roads packed with Italian traffic that he described as &#8216;criminal&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>Having now won Milan-San Remo, Poga\u010dar could decide to never return, never have to focus his winter on training for a Cipressa attack and risk his neck in the Ligurian traffic.<\/p>\n<p>He has shaken off the pressure and speculation that he could never win Milan-San Remo, and ended the obsession that risked driving even Poga\u010dar crazy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This race costs a lot of effort, also mentally. It&#8217;s one of the most unpredictable races I&#8217;ve ever done. I think it is one of the most unpredictable races in the world,&#8221; he admitted.<\/p>\n<p>Never riding Milan-San Remo again would turn his 2026 victory into a mic-drop moment. But it would be a tragedy for us. After what we saw on Saturday, we can only hope that he returns again and again, to challenge the chaos of Milan-San Remo and give us the thrill of the best half an hour of bike racing of the year.<\/p>\n<p>We want a race like that every year, where Poga\u010dar is forced to give his all to win against the odds, elevating his own determination and the performance of his rivals<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mcnulty-shows-his-maturity-with-cipressa-performance-3\">McNulty shows his maturity with Cipressa performance<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"f34182f2-056b-4f95-9bdc-7763c42f84d4\">\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\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h3RA6SvPpv5CGabuPS9yog-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\">McNulty leading the way up the Cipressa <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"7cf4bf04-5856-4546-93ba-6185f894518f\">American racer Brandon McNulty was happy and emotional beyond the Milan-San Remo finish line, knowing he had played a vital part in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s victory.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty was making his Milan-San Remo debut, replacing injured Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez. UAE Team Emirates-XRG needed him to play a vital role, especially after Jan Christen crashed out early, and McNulty stepped up without fear.<\/p>\n<p>When Poga\u010dar crashed on the approach to the Cipressa, McNulty followed team orders to wait for him at the back of the peloton and then drag him up to the front on the early part of the Cipressa.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty used his power to move past most of the peloton in less than a kilometre, dropping off Poga\u010dar like an experienced leadout man. He could have then eased up, job done. Instead, he went to the front and lined out the peloton with a huge, long surge. Isaac del Toro was behind, with Poga\u010dar in place, ready to attack.<\/p>\n<p>McNulty played a role in transforming chaos into race control.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We came back just at the bottom of the Cipressa, I went as hard as I could to get to the front and then I didn&#8217;t see in the front, but I could hear on the radio that it was crazy,&#8221; McNulty said of his work and how he heard Poga\u010dar&#8217;s victory play out ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar later hugged McNulty with genuine emotion and gratitude, their relationship stronger than ever after Poga\u010dar helped McNulty win the GP de Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s always an honour to ride for him. It was definitely nice to repay him,&#8221; McNulty said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"praise-for-mathieu-van-der-poel-and-mads-pedersen-3\">Praise for Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"c01394fc-7bf6-4b09-a7dc-4bde1130ea5c\">\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\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kTgYtFjqRCBS5M2zhdcmJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel played a starring role on Saturday even if his finger injury saw him drop back on the Poggio <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"8b95342e-ca05-4091-bc58-df7af95e37f6\">While Poga\u010dar and his UAE team celebrated in the Via Roma, the defeated were hit by the pain of the race and of disappointment. Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen could especially be proud, however.<\/p>\n<p>I watched the final kilometres near Van der Poel&#8217;s entourage, his father Adri glued to a mobile phone, his mother pacing around like in a prison cell of fear, unable to watch her son suffer and waiting for it all to end.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel stopped near them in the Via Roma, but there was no celebration like in 2023 and 2025, just blood on his hand, growing pain and disappointment. Van der Poel was hit by a bike in the crash and raced the finale with Poga\u010dar in pain, p\u00e8rhaps even with a fractured finger.<\/p>\n<p>He was cruelly distanced on the Poggio and then caught by the chasers, but somehow finished eighth and so fifth in the 35-rider group that came in just four seconds down on Poga\u010dar. He was defeated but could be proud of his race and will surely be back to his best on the cobbles.<\/p>\n<p>Mads Pedersen finished fourth but was rightly proud of his day. It was only his second race of the season after crashing out of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana, where he fractured his right collarbone and left wrist, but he fought all the way to the line with his Lidl-Trek teammates.<\/p>\n<p>They inspired the chase group along the Auralia coast road, reducing the lead of Poga\u010dar, Pidcock and van der Poel to just ten seconds before the Poggio.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s racing,&#8221; Pedersen told <em>Eurosport<\/em> at the finish. &#8220;It&#8217;s, of course, nice to be back, better than expected, so it was a good day. It was a pity I couldn&#8217;t take the podium, but it is what it is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"next-up-for-pogacar-the-cobbles-the-ardennes-and-a-fifth-tour-de-france-3\">Next up for Poga\u010dar \u2013 the cobbles, the Ardennes and a fifth Tour de France<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"5db135a1-e485-4862-8da6-a563d62203e4\">\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\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TXhC8hxwQ3Fgxe4gBfvX5m-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\">Another battle on the cobbles lies in wait for Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"f32c4519-b0af-49c4-a357-e79dc422d478\">Tadej Poga\u010dar understandably wanted to savour his Milan-San Remo victory but will soon head north to Belgium for the Tour of Flanders, then to France for Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>After that comes a trip to the hills for the Ardennes Classics and Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, a race he&#8217;s won three times previously, as he chases more Monument victories.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s not forget that he can also win a record-equallying fifth Tour de France in July.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar was the first world champion to win Milan-San Remo in the rainbow jersey since Beppe Saronni in 1983. In the weeks to come, he can make more cycling history by winning Paris-Roubaix and so completing his collection of the sports Monuments. Only Eddy Merckx has won more Monuments (19 to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s 11), but he has time on his side to rewrite even that record.<\/p>\n<p>For now, Poga\u010dar is just happy to have won Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just so happy now that whatever comes next is fine, I will not beat my head or anything,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, the shape is good, and I will go to Flanders and Roubaix with a strong team. And we go for the win in both races. I&#8217;m looking forward to Flanders and Roubaix now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"1578fd08-ca3c-4fe9-8aa0-0d4334fe0d1c\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics 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><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/reflections-from-milan-san-remo-pogacar-overcomes-the-chaos-prefers-focaccia-to-a-2027-return-bignut-mcnulty-and-praise-for-van-der-poel-and-pedersen\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UYBWnkk388X72MbP4jk9Ao-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Road Milan-San Remo Reflections from the men&#8217;s Milan-San Remo \u2013 Poga\u010dar overcomes the chaos, prefers focaccia to a 2027 return, McNulty&#8217;s work, and praise for Van der Poel and Pedersen Features By Stephen Farrand published 22 March 2026 Stephen Farrand reflects from San Remo on how Poga\u010dar came back [&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-1840916","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\/1840916","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=1840916"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1840916\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1840916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1840916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1840916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}