The first Classic of the season, the 100th edition of Milan-Sanremo will kick off on March 21 with the same parcours as the 2008 edition, race organiser RCS Sport announced Saturday. The 298-kilometre race will not be able to have its traditional finish on the Via Rosa due to construction, and will instead duplicate last year's finish on the Lungomare Italo Calvino.
The race will again include the climb of Le Mànie, which was introduced last year due to construction on the Via Aurelia, near kilometre 200. The 4.7-kilometre climb will be one more leg-sapping effort to weigh upon the riders in addition to the traditional finishing climbs, the Cipressa and Poggio. Last year, Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara won the race with an unstoppable attack in the final two kilometres, foiling the sprinters who have dominated this Classic in the past.
