MILAN: Once more, Tadej Pogacar emerges as the rider to watch as he sets his sights on clinching his maiden victory at Milan-San Remo, following a stellar start to the season with a significant triumph already under his belt.
The two-time Tour de France champion stands out among a stellar lineup of cycling elites for ‘La Classicissima,’ the prestigious Monument race that ushers in the Spring season.
Maintaining an impeccable record in Italy, Pogacar’s recent conquest at Strade Bianche showcased his dominance with a remarkable solo breakaway 81 kilometers from the finish line, making him the center of attention as he gears up for his next challenge.
Having triumphed twice at Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico, as well as securing victory in the past three editions of the season-ending Il Lombardia classic, Pogacar’s prowess on Italian roads is undeniable.
Venturing into uncharted territory, the 25-year-old sensation is poised to tackle the Giro d’Italia grand tour for the first time this year, drawing on his familiarity with the terrain near his Monaco residence.
Despite being favored to clinch last year’s Milan-San Remo title, Pogacar faced stiff competition from Mathieu van der Poel, who ultimately outmaneuvered him on the final ascent of Poggio.
As the defending champion, Van der Poel is poised to defend his crown, while sprinters like Arnaud Demare, Olav Kooij, Mads Pedersen, Jonathan Milan, and Jasper Philipsen eagerly await the opportunity for a mass bunch sprint finish.
In the absence of a traditional sprint climax in recent editions, the unpredictability of Milan-San Remo leaves room for various scenarios, with Filippo Ganna eager to improve upon his second-place finish from the previous year.
