Milan-SanRemo Kicks off the Monuments season this Saturday

The first Monument of the cycling season, aptly called La Primavera. The 109th edition of Milan-SanRemo will be held this Saturday, March 17th

The longest one day race on the professional calendar,  a route of 291 kilometres with a finish on the Via Roma. The Poggio is climbed with just 5.4 kilometres remaining before a flying descent into San Remo.

Last year, Milan-SanRemo was won by Michal Kwiatkowski. After 291 kilometres of racing, he outsprinted Peter Sagan and Julian Alaphilippe on the Via Roma.

Peter Sagan attacked on the Poggio and only Alaphilippe and Kwiatkowski could follow. After a flat out descent, the finale came down to a thrilling three-up sprint.

The race leaves Milan’s Castello Sforzesco. the Passo del Turchino is the only significant climb after 142km as it makes it's way towards the Riviera. 

The race is a war of attrition with the continual wearing down of even the best Pro's endurance as the race gets more difficult, especially in the last 50 kms. The climns of the The Capo Mele, Capo Cervo and Capo Berta force the first selection as riders are shelled out from the rear of the peloton. The real pinch comes with the arrival of the Cipressa (5.6km at 4.1%), where the strongest teams will try to drop the Sprinters before the final climax on the Poggio (3.7km at 3.7%) overlooking San Remo.

A breakaway or earlier attack has the potential to succeed, however the hungry pack will want to devour them before the Cipressa.

The Main Contenders

There is a wealth of top Sprinters taking part by the Puncheurs and Roulers won;t want to take any of them to the line. So Kittel,Viviani, Kristoff, Cavendish'a teams will be working to keep them in contention until they reach the top of the Poggio.

But you'' expect huge attacks from Sagan, Alaphilippe, Kwiatkowski and Valverde somewhere in the 50 kms, which makes for a thrilling race.

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), Gianni Moscon (Team Sky and Filippo Pozzato (Wilier-Selle Italia), will be riders to watch out for as they take advantage of any situation on the final climbs of the Cipressa and the Poggio.

This will one thrilling race to watch and follow come Saturday.