The 2026 cycling season intensifies as the peloton prepares for the first Monument of the year. Milano–Sanremo presents a tactical chess match between Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar. While once considered a race for sprinters, recent editions have transformed the final hour into a high-stakes arena for attackers. Van der Poel enters as a dominant force, having secured victories in 2023 and 2025, while also facilitating Jasper Philipsen’s 2024 win. Pogacar continues his pursuit of a maiden Sanremo title after Alpecin-Deceuninck neutralized his previous three attempts.
Recent Milan-Sanremo Winners
| 2025 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2024 | Jasper Philipsen |
| 2023 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2022 | Matej Mohoric |
| 2021 | Jasper Stuyven |
Also read: How to watch Milano-Sanremo 2026
The 298-Kilometer Route
Starting in Pavia, the course traverses the Po Valley before climbing the Passo del Turchino (5.6 km at 2.9%). The peloton then hits the Ligurian coast, following the shoreline toward the critical selection points. The Capi—Mele, Cervo, and Berta—serve as the first physical filters before the decisive climbs.
The Cipressa (5.6 km at 4.1%) requires impeccable positioning. UAE Team Emirates-XRG often uses this sector to shred the field. Following a technical descent, the riders face the Poggio (3.7 km at 3.7%). This final ascent features ramps above 5.5% where Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar typically launch their winning moves. A rapid, twisting descent leads to the final flat two kilometers on the Via Roma.
Key Ascent Data
- Passo del Turchino: 5.6 km, 2.9%
- Capo Berta: 2.0 km, 6.3%
- Cipressa: 5.6 km, 4.1%
- Poggio: 3.7 km, 3.7%
Tactical Outlook and Favorites
Also read: Milano-Sanremo 2026 Winner Odds
Tadej Pogacar relies on his team to drive a 110 percent pace on the hills. Supporting riders like Florian Vermeersch, Isaac del Toro, and Jan Christen will be vital in isolating rivals. Mathieu van der Poel showed peak condition at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and appears to have mastered the timing required for the Poggio.
Visma | Lease a Bike carries significant depth with Wout van Aert and Matteo Jorgenson. Their roster also includes Christophe Laporte and Matthew Brennan, providing multiple cards for different race scenarios. Filippo Ganna remains a premier threat for INEOS Grenadiers after being the only rider to shadow the favorites in past finales.
If the race stays compact, Jasper Philipsen is the ultimate insurance policy for Alpecin-Premier Tech. Other resilient fast finishers include Tobias Lund Andresen, Paul Magnier, and Laurence Pithie. Puncheurs like Tom Pidcock, Romain Grégoire, and Lennert Van Eetvelt will look to exploit any hesitation among the top favorites. The presence of former winners Matej Mohoric and Jasper Stuyven adds further complexity to the tactical landscape.
Rain is a possibility with a 40–50 percent chance forecast for the finale. A predicted tailwind could favor solo attackers on the Poggio or Via Roma. Stay tuned to TipsGG for updated coverage as the race approaches.