Nibali secures victory for the Italian Tifosi at Milan-SanRemo

Bahrain-Merida Italian professional Vincenzo Nibali put in a ferocious attack on the upper slopes of the Poggio and used his world class descending skills, to hold off a chasing peloton into SanRemo

It's been a fantistic day for the Italian Tifosi as they celebrate Nibali's win of the opening momument of the season in the long amnd greulling 294 km race from a rain soaked and wind swept Milan to SanRemo.

With around 8km to go and a peloton containing most of the favorites and Sprinters, Nibali put in a huge attack, which no one responded to. In their confusion Nibali powered ahead opening up a bigger lead of 14 seconds as he crested the final climb of the Poggio with around 6 kms to go.

Behind Michael Matthews and World Champion Peter Sagan were leading the chase, but ahead, using his world class descending skills, Nibali held onto his lead as he descending down the frighteningly terrifying technical descent into SanRemo.

The chase got more organised in the last couple of kilometres and it was touch and go if Nibali could hang onto his 9 second lead in the final 1.5 kms. Behind FDj and Quick-Step Floors took over the chase, but it wasn't enough.

Nibali has time to raise his hands in the air and celebrate to take a huge win on his home soil, met by his wife and daughter on the finish line.

"I attacked" - says Vincenzo "I turned round and I saw that I had a good advantage and so I went. The most difficult moment was the last 2 kilometers. I never turned back and on the radio the sport director Alberto Volpi was saying "10/11 seconds, push, push". I only thought about giving everything I had. When I was with 50 meters to go I looked back and I enjoyed the moment!"

"I arrived at Sanremo very relaxed after I had finished the Tirreno-Adriatico in goof form and this morning I had the confidence. You do not win alone and for this I have to thank all my teammates for the great work of today. They were fundamental".

Nibali is showing great form, and as a result, is surely a favorite for this year's 101th edition of the Giro d'Italia.

Bellissimo! Caio!

VIDEO: 2018 Milan - SanRemo Highlights

2018 Milan - SanRemo Top 10

1 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 7:18:43 
2 Caleb Ewan (Aus) Mitchelton-Scott   
3 Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ   
4 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates   
5 Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) BMC Racing Team   
6 Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe   
7 Michael Matthews (Aus) Team Sunweb   
8 Magnus Cort (Den) Astana Pro Team   
9 Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain-Merida   
10 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo