Six-rider teams add an extra conundrum to Milan-San Remo predictions

Frances Julian Alaphilippe C rides during an attack in the Poggio ascent during the oneday classic cycling race Milan San Remo on March 23 2019 Photo by Luca Bettini POOL AFP Photo credit should read LUCA BETTINIAFP via Getty Images
Julian Alaphilippe attacks on the Poggio in the 2019 Milan-San Remo (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

The reduction in the size of teams for Milan-San Remo, from seven to just six riders, is expected to add another variable to the sport's most unpredictable Classic, with many riders now expecting an uncontrollable race and attacks possibly starting on the Colle della Nava climb with 70km left to race.  

Until 2018, eight-rider teams lined up in Milan for the La Classicissima, and the strongest teams were often able to protect and guide their sprinters over the Poggio and work to ensure the race ended in a bunch sprint of some kind. 

Stephen Farrand
Head of News

Stephen is the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022, before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters, Shift Active Media, and CyclingWeekly, among other publications.