As it Happened - historic Cipressa attack determines winner of Milan-San Remo

Hello and welcome to the 2025 Milan-San Remo!

It’s time for one of the most exciting races of the season - Milan-San Remo. 

The cycling world has been abuzz with anticipation for this race for several weeks, with many of the top contenders showing great form in its run-in at races like Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, with this, the first monument of 2025, their end goal.

This is a race that ignites more pre-race discussion than almost any other classic, largely due to just how hard it is to predict, and how many different ways it can take shape. 

Will an individual be strong enough to escape solo as Mathieu van der Poel did in 2023? Can a sprinter win from a small group, à la Jasper Philipsen last year? Can a surprise name slip away unmarked in the vein of Jasper Stuyven in 2022? Or can a master descender use the downhill of the Poggio to get a decisive gap, as Matej Mohoric did to triumph at the 2022 edition?

The finale of Milan-Sanremo is often described as the most perfectly-balanced in cycling. It’s not hard enough for the strongest rider in the race (which in recent years has so often been Pogačar and Van der Poel) to simply ride away from the field; but neither is it easy enough for pure sprinters to reel in the late attacks for a group finish. It presents a conundrum for all kinds of riders, as only one of the many contenders who fancy their chances can win.

The riders are on the move, and making their way in the neutralised one. We'll be racing soon!

There’s been much talk about the weather during the build-up to the race, and the news is that it’s a cold and wet one - for now. Riders at the start are adorning rain jackets and multiple layers.

Weather conditions could have a drastic impact on how Milan-Sanremo is raced. It’s not just how wet roads make the descent of the Poggio so much more precarious and selective - it’s how more uncomfortable the whole long day on the saddle becomes in the cold and the wet, making it more attritional.

Two riders have not made it to the start - Cedric Beullens (Lotto) and Simon Clarke (Israel-PremierTech).

289KM TO GO

And we're off!

Attacks are let loose right from the start, led by a Lotto rider.

No-ones gone clear yet.

2 riders have a gap of a few seconds.

Those two riders were Mathis Le Berre and Fredrik Dversnes, who recently won a stage of Tirreno-Adriatico from a break. But they've been brought back.

Here's Tadej Pogačar at the start of the day, who is - as he is for almost every race he starts - the favourite for the win. But that status is far less clear cut as it normally is. We'll have plenty of time during the way to discuss his chances, and how he can win a race he still does not have on his palmares.

A new group of 3 riders has formed, and has a small lead. 

The three riders are Alessandro Verre, Martin Marcellusi and Tommaso Nencini.

280KM TO GO

That trio has a gap of 20 seconds, but there's more activity in the peloton as more riders try to attack and join them.

With Marcellusi of VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè and Nencini of Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini in the lead, that's both Italian wildcard teams represented in the break. But they aren't the only teams who want to get into the day's break on a day as prestigious as this, and there are still riders attempting (and for now, failing) to get out the bunch.

Four riders have now managed to get out the peloton and have a gap.

The same three teams represented in the lead group are also in this chasing group, along with a Lotto rider.

Those four riders are Mathis Le Berre (Arkéa - B&B Hotels), Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto), Mark Stewart (Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini) and Filippo Turconi (VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè)

That quartet are 20 seconds behind the leaders, and will join them soon.

The peloton seems content. It doesn't look like there will be many more attacks.

270KM TO GO

The three leaders are looking behind them for the chasers. As it's their teammates bridging up, there's no question of them not wanting them to join.

Here are the riders on the road. As you can see, it's a dark, grey day in Italy.

The four chasers have joined the three leaders - we have our definitive break of the day.

This seven-man group might yet become an eight-man group. Kristian Sbaragli attacked out of the peloton earlier on his own, but still has over a minute to make up to join the leaders. 

260KM TO GO

As things stand, there's a minute between the leading seven and Sparagli, and a further three minutes between Sparagli and the peloton.

Lots of discussion in the lead group. They seem to be talking about Sparagli, and whether to slow down to let him join - his two Solution Tech - Vini Fantini teammates will want him to.

Sparagli is getting closer. He's within 30 seconds now.

 Nencini has dropped back to lend Sparagli a hand. He's pacing him up to the leaders.

And they have succeeded. We now have a lead group of eight. 

Van der Poel's at his team car, taking a rain jacket. How riders cope with this weather could be a determining factor in who wins the race, especially considering how fine the margins are in Milan-San Remo.

250KM TO GO

Five minutes between the 8 leaders and the peloton, which is being led by one of Van der Poel's Alpecin teammates.

Milan-Sanremo is a bit like a perfectly designed strategy board game, where every player’s strengths and weaknesses are perfectly balanced in proportion to the others’. 

That’s reflected in how many different outcomes the race has; whereas all the other monuments have produced repeat winners in recent years, the last 17 editions of Milan-San Remo since 2008 have been won by 17 different riders.

240KM TO GO

4-30 for the leaders. The peloton might be happy with the break being up there, but they're not giving them much of a lead.

It seems there’s some disagreement in the peloton as to what the pace should be. A gap was let between the three riders at the front and the rest of the peloton, perhaps signalling that the pac is needlessly high this early in the race.

Silvan Dillier is the man at the front who was setting the pace, for Alpecin.

The peloton is all back together with those three riders back in it, but the pace is still relatively quick, the gap having come down more to only just over four minutes.

It’s still uncomfortably cold. Tadej Pogačar is trying to talk over the radio, but is having to shake his gloved hands to keep them warm enough.

230KM TO GO

The pace is relaxed, but the gap has come down a little more, to just less than four minutes. 

Today is a historic occasion in the history of Milan-San Remo, as running simultaneously with the men’s race is a women’s race. The likes of Lotto Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes, Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini are all present with the eyes on victory, and the race promises to be every bit as exciting and finely balanced as the men’s. Be sure to follow all the action with us here.

Alpecin's Van der Poel and Philipsen are at the team car again, changing kit. On a day like this they’ll need to constantly monitor the conditions and ensure they’re in the most efficient - and comfortable - clothing. 

As happened earlier, there’s again been a split in the peloton, as riders behind the leading few sit up and let the wheel go. It does seem as though there are many in this peloton who want a slower pace than that set by Dillier.

220KM TO GO

3-45 is the gap between the peloton and the leaders, having come down just a little more.

The small split in the peloton has been closed, and they are back in a long single file formation.

As exciting as the finale of Milan-San Remo is, it does take a while to get there. So in the meantime, let’s have a look at which riders are expected to be involved in it, and consider their chances of victory. 

As with any one-day classic these days, Tadej Pogačar is a top favourite. But is the race hard enough for him to win? This race has left him frustrated in the last, his attacks on the Poggio not enough to go clear, and leaving him to settle for 5th, 4th and 3rd in the last 3 editions - good results for most, but failures relative to other races for a rider so accustomed to winning.

The race presents a tricky tactical dilemma for Pogačar - should he wait for the Poggio to attack, or try sometime earlier? And how best to use his teammates, to weaken the opposition and set him for his all-important attack? Last year the team targeted the Cipressa, with the aim of riding it much quicker than usual and shedding the opposition, only to fail to execute the plan as they reached the climb out of position. Whether or not they try something similar this year is one of the most intriguing questions of the race.

210KM TO GO

The Cipressa is still a long way from now, with about 190km still to ride. The situation on the road for now is that the 8 leaders have a gap of 3-25.

When asked prior to the race, Pogačar refused to lay out what the strategy was - which might sound obvious, but remember this is the man who last year stated the exact moment he’d attack at Strade Bianche, and did exactly that to win the race. 

He also confirmed that he’s ‘feeling OK’ two weeks after his crash at that race this year.

If Pogačar were to win today, it’ll be the first time a reigning World Champion has won Milan-Sanremo in Giuseppe Saronni in 1983. 

The sight of the rainbow stripes crossing the line first at monuments has become a familiar one in recent years - just last year it happened three times, first with Mathieu van der Poel doing the cobbled double of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, then, after taking the Dutchman’s Worlds crown in Zurich, Pogačar at Il Lombardia.

200KM TO GO

We're into the final 200km! It really does put into perspective how long Milan-San Remo is when you consider that, despite having raced for two hours already, the amount of road still left to complete would itself be enough to constitute a long day of racing. 

The break’s lead has gone up a bit, to 3-45.

190KM TO GO

It's as you were, with the gap at about 3-30. 

Even if Pogačar is the favourite, Mathieu van der Poel must be considered a very close second. This is the first of what is anticipated to be a Spring of several showdowns in the biggest classics between the two contemporary greats, the prospect of which is mouth-watering.

Van der Poel has had similar difficulties as Pogačar in translating his prolific record in other classics to Milan-SanRemo, compared with his record of winning three out of si Tours of Flanders, and two out of five Paris-Roubaixs - but, unlike the Slovenian, he has managed to win it, when he escaped solo on the Poggio in 2023.

It’s the difficulty in winning Milan-San Remo that makes the thought of doing so again so special to Van der Poel. "Winning Paris-Roubaix is super special but I think winning on the Via Roma is more emotional,” he told Cyclingnews recently. “At Milan-San Remo you don't know it until you get to the last stretch, the final metres, so that makes it a bit more special."

Interesting developments in the peloton, as Visma’s Tosh van der Sande has accelerated out of the peloton.

He has an Alpecin rider and a PicnicPostNL rider with him.

They’ve sat up and allowed themselves to be caught. It’s hard to work out what Van der Sande was up to - perhaps he’s unhappy with the race, and wants it higher?

Though Van der Poel didn’t defend his title last year, it did remain in house in the Alpecin-Deceuninck team as he helped teammate Jasper Philipsen to victory in a small group sprint. 

Philipsen and Van der Poel have made for a formidable duo in recent years, whether it’s been winning Milan-San Remo, doing consecutive one-twos at Paris-Roubaix, or Van der Poel leading Philipsen out to multiple sprint wins at the Tour de France. They unite for the first time in 2025 today.

How competitive will Philipsen be though? He had looked in great shape, winning Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and placing third at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but had the misfortune of crashing in a race just days before Milan-San Remo. 

Last year demonstrated how perfectly he’s suited to Milan-San Remo, but in a race that requires sprinters like him to be in flying form to both get over the Poggio in contention and still have the legs to sprint for the win, even a small setback could be enough to end his chances.

180KM TO GO

180km to go, and the gap is at 3-40 as Van der Poel and Philipsen's Alpecin team continues to lead the peloton. 

The riders are approaching the foot of the first climb of the day, Passo del Turchino. The pace is still slow enough for some to take comfort breaks.

In terms of form, pedigree and the weather, Mads Pedersen must be considered a favourite. The Dane was on fire at Paris-Nice, winning both a stage and the points classification, but that only tells part of the story - he was climbing better than he ever has before, and had an insatiable desire to attack.

With his fast finish, punchy climbing and love of long races, Pedersen is perfectly suited to Milan-San Remo, and has already placed 6th, 6th and 4th the last three years. The cold and wet should also play in favour too, given how he flourishes in adversity. He’s overdue adding a monument to his palmares, and victory today would be his biggest since the 2019 Worlds.

170KM TO GO

The gap is at 3-20, and they're about to start climbing the lower slops of Passo del Turchino.

Pedersen lines up for Lidl-Trek not as the outright leader this time, as sprinter Jonathan Milan. Together, Pedersen and Milan form a duo to potentially match Alpecin’s of Van der Poel and Philipsen, Pedersen as someone who can fly up the Poggio, and Milan as one of (if not the) quickest sprinters in the world.

The riders are on the lower slopes of Passo del Turchino, which rises at a shallow gradient for a while before the official climb, which is 2.4km at 5.3%. It’s not much but all part of the subtle wearing down process that the riders will feel in their legs come the frantic finale. 

160KM TO GO

The peloton is still being led by Alpecin, with UAE Team Emirates evidently not interested in taking the race on this early. The gap to the leaders has grown a bit, to over four minutes. 

Back to Jonathan Milan - in years gone by, back when this race was known as ‘the sprinters classic’, he’d have been a top favourite for victory today, but these days its attackers rather than sprinters who tend to come out on top.

That said, what sets Milan apart from his Italian sprinting forebears and former winners of this race Alessandro Petacchi and Mario Cippoilini is how well he can climb, so could plausibly still be in contention after the Poggio. Philipsen showed last year that it’s possible for sprinters still to win here, if they can climb well enough - can Milan follow in his footsteps and deliver a first home victory since 2018?

As well as Milan, the Tifosi’s best hope for victory today lies in Filippo Ganna. The former world time trial champion was in sublime form at Tirreno-Adriatico, where he climbed well enough to finish a remarkable second overall, and returns to the race he also finished second at two years ago with the belief that he can win.

On that occasion, he went clear from the rest of the field on the Poggio with none other than Van der Poel, Pogačar and Wout van Aert (who is absent today). If he can stick to their wheel again today, his descending and sprinting is potentially good enough to take the win. 

The leaders are official on the climb now, as the gradient kicks up.

150KM TO GO

The peloton are also on the climb proper now, 3-13 behind the leading eight.

The break have crested the climb, and are onto the descent. That's the highest road they will experience all day.

The peloton is done climbing now too, and there's been a change at the front as Lidl-Trek take over on the descent.

Lidl have a few riders at the front, but they're riding cautiously to keep their men safe rather than attacking it.

The riders will soon be on the Ligurian coast, the backdrop that feels more like Milan-San Remo tha the roads that have characterised this first half of the race. 

As if on cue, the weather is lightening up as they approach the coast. The grey skies are parting for some glimpses of sunshine.

140KM TO GO

The peloton aren’t taking it too easy on this descent, and the pace has been quick enough to see the gap to the leaders come down to 2-25.

Further up the Ligurian coast, the women have already done the Cipressa and are approaching the Poggio. While we wait for things to wake up here, be sure to also follow the climax of that race, for what promises to be one of the most entertaining finales of the season.

The riders can see the sea! That will be a familiar sight from now until the finish on the Via Roma.

Here are the 8 riders in the break earlier. The weather has dried and warmed a little since then.

The descent finish, Alpecin have taken over again from Lidl. Still no sign of UAE at the front. 

Lots of layers behind shed by riders. The temperature is up, as is the pace. 

130KM TO GO

Alpecin lead the peloton, which is strung out in a long line. Their defecit to the leaders now stands at 2-48, having gone up a little.

One contender approaching Milan-San Remo in super form is Tom Pidcock, who already has four wins to name this year as well as a second-place finish at Strade Bianche and multiple high finishes and strong rides at Tirreno-Adriatico.

The Brit is loving life at new team Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, and believes he has “as good a chance as anyone” of winning today.

The road has some undulations during this phase of the race. Again, nothing especially strenuous, but will sap away slowly at the riders' legs.

120KM TO GO

Still it's Alpecin who lead the peloton. They've got the gap down to 3-20. 

The race here remains quiet, but the women’s race has just reached its explosive conclusion. Find out what happened here.

One notable thing about recent editions of Milan-SanRemo is how rare repeat winners are. In fact, in all the years since 1990, only Oscar Friere and Erik Zabel have won multiple editions.

One rider who could follow in their footsteps today is Matej Mohorič. The Slovenian used his infamous descending abilities to win here in 2022, and has a great record here having never finished lower than 11th in any of his six appearances since 2019. His form this year is questionable, having not raced since pulling out prior to Strade Bianche, but he often goes best when allowed under the radar.

110KM TO GO

The gap's growing again, up to 3-15, as the peloton maintains a steady pace. A few kilometres ago there was a repeat in the peloton of what's happened already a few times today, as the rider behind Dillier let his wheel go, forcing him to slow down and wait for the rest of the peloton to arrive.

One rider who can never be ruled out of contention is Michael Matthews. In a race that rewards tactical nous, the Australian has mastered its secrets, and has a remarkably consistent record here - his last four appearances has seen him finish 3rd, 6th 4th and 2nd. This year, he’s desperate to win.

Following flood-blooded attacks from Pogačar and Van der Poel is likely beyond him, but if he’s up against them in a sprint, he’ll fancy his chances.

100KM TO GO

We're into the final 100km! That's almost 200km already completed - even on mostly flat roads, the riders will still be starting to tire already. 

Alpecin pulling at the front of the peloton, as they have done since the race reached the coast.

A long line of Lidl riders has formed behind Alpecin’s Dillier at the front of the peloton. They’ve made their presence known, and evidently fancy the chances of Pedersen and/or Milan - and possibly even Jasper Stuyven, who is another former winner having triumphed in 2021.

90KM TO GO

They're still sitting on Dillier's wheel for now, and the gap remains steady at 3-40.

Dillier has just turned around to the Lidl riders and asked them if they’re going to take a turn, to which the leading Lidl rider shakes his head.

80KM TO GO

The gap's grown to higher than it's been for a while, over four minutes. The 8 leaders clearly left something in the tank earlier in the day, as the pace in the peloton isn't slow.

What about the chances of Biniam Girmay? The Eritrean’s characteristics make him a seemingly ideal fit for Milan-San Remo, and he believes the positioning and descending that are so important to winning here are skills he has mastered. But his form is uncertain, having not raced much since the birth of his second child.

We're in more familiar Milan-Sanremo territory since racing the coast. Here's an example of the stunning scenery that is the race's backdrop.

70KM TO GO

Still it's Silvan Dillier who leads the peloton. This is some effort from the Swiss rider! He's single-handedly matching the pace of the 8 leaders, who remain just over 4 minutes ahead.

Here is Dillier pulling the peloton along behind him.

One outsider for the win today is Olav Kooij. The Dutchman has established himself as one of the quickest sprinters in the world, and can also get over climbs like Poggio - as he proved at Tirreno-Adriatico, where he sprint in a peloton reduced from climbs earlier in the day. In the absence of Wout van Aert, he’s Visma-Lease a Bike’s leader.

Some movement in the peloton as other teams move to the front. They’re fighting for control  - the race is starting to warm up!

Ineos are the team leading, with late call-up Geraint Thomas at the front.

The fight for position was for an uncategorised rise, that they're nearing. After this the climbs start to come thick and fast, with the three Capo climbs, then Cipressa, then Poggio.

60KM TO GO

This upping of the pace has inevitably seen the gap to the leaders come down. It's been reduced to 3-10.

The expressions in the peloton are more pained now the pace is up - not to mention the fact they’ve been riding for nearly 250km now.

4km until the first of the Tre Capi - Capo Mele, which is 2km at 3.6%. 

We still haven't seen UAE Team Emirates at the front. Will they make their move here?

Indeed, UAE have now formed a train on the other side of the road to Ineos, with Pogačar positioned close to the front, visible in the rainbow stripes.

Lidl and Tudor also have domestiques bunched towards the front of the peloton. No single team has control as they approach the climb.

CAPO MELE

The leaders are on Capo Mele. The endgame starts here!

The pace is too high for Nencini on the climb. He's dropped from the break.

The bunch is on the climb, all spread across the road.

Crash in the peloton.

Thats the first crash of the day - Pithie is one rider held up, as is Powless.

It wasn't a heavy fall, but four or five riders were held up and need to chase back.

50KM TO GO

2-07 now between the peloton and the leaders, as we enter the 50km to go mark.

Mechanical for Philipsen. He's out the back of the peloton.

CAPO CERVO

Here comes the second Capo - Capo Cervo, 1.3km at 3.7%.

Philipsen is still out the back, making his way back to the peloton. He’s in the convoy and following one of the cars, so shouldn’t be using too much energy.

Another mechanical now, this time for Sparagli in the break. He’s had a bike change and is making his way back.

Philipsen is back in the peloton. There are much worse times for him to have had a puncture.

Sparagli is back in the break, but Nencini has been swallowed by the peloton having been dropped on Capo Mele.

CAPO BERTA

Time for the Capo Berta, the third and hardest of the Tre Capi. It's about as short (1.7km), but much steeper (7%).

The break is breaking up on the climb. They're in ones and twos.

 Marcellusi is the rider who's out ahead, now leading the race.

40KM TO GO

 Marcellusi has a gap of a few seconds over the next man on the road - but now barely a minute over the peloton.

Problem for Ben Tulett in the peloton, seemingly with his chain. He's fine, but needs to chase up to the peloton just as things are getting hard on this climb.

Lidl lead the peloton as they ascend the climb.

Alpecin are beside them, but Philipsen is still further down the peloton.

Still no sign of UAE. They appear to be saving themselves for a massive effort on the Cipressa - which is the next climb.

Tulett is already back in the peloton after his chain issue.

Several riders from the day's break are now falling back into the peloton. Martin Marcellusi is still leading the race though, but one minute.

Ineos lead the peloton. There's not much more than 5km until the foot of the Cipressa. Things are getting tense.

All the big names are massing at the front. Van der Poel, Philipsen, Pogacar, Pedersen, Pidcock, Ganna are all there.

The pace is so high. Riders will have to be careful to stay upright.

Here comes UAE Team Emirates.

They've formed a train, but aren't getting the better of Ineos'

UAE are on the right hand side of the road, Ineos on the left, and a multitude of colours representing different teams in the middle.

Up ahead, Marcellusi still leads the race, while Le Berre and  Veistroffer are still in between him and the peloton.

30KM TO GO

They won't be out there for much longer though - Marcellusi is only 20 seconds ahead of the charging peloton.

UAE have now wrestled control of the peloton, but they aren't in a perfect line, and Pogačar has lost the wheel.

Le Berre and  Veistroffer are caught.

CIPRESSA

Marcellusi leads the race onto the Cipressa.

It's EF rather than UAE who are leading the peloton.

There's been a crash in the peloton.

Now UAE take control, with Wellens leading.

Wellens is flying up this climb, but there aren't many UAE teammates near him apart from Pogačar.

Even Pogačar is quite far adrfit, about 10th in line. Behind Wellens is Van der Poel then Ganna, then Trentin.

Pogačar starts to move up now, folowing teammate Narvaez's wheel.

PHILIPSEN DROPPED

Philipsen's been dropped! He wont defend his title.

Narvaez has taken over at the front, Wellens is done.

Pog's on Narvaez's wheel, then Ganna, then Van der Poel.

Small gaps are opening behind them - can they split it?

POGACAR ATTACKS

Pogačar's attacked on the Cipressa!

He's got company - Ganna, Van der Poel and a Groupama rider.

Gregoire is the Groupama rider.

Pog accelerates again, and only Van der Poel is with him.

Ganna is back with them, he's had to go very deep to do so.

The lead trio is 15 seconds ahead of the peloton.

Pogačar attacks again! Ganna is distenced.

Ganna's clawed his way back up again.

Van der Poel is taking a turn. He's happy to work with Pogačar.

Now Philipsen has been dropped, Van der Poel is riding for himself.

Back in the peloton, it's Red Bull who are leading a peloton down to about just 20 riders.

Pogačar, Van der Poel and Ganna have reached the top of the Cipressa, and they lead the race by 30 whole seconds!

The chasing peloton has about 25 riders in it now. Lidl are well represented, with Pedersen and Ciccone there.

20KM TO GO

Pogačar is still pushing on on the descent, and increasing the lead further. It's up to 40 seconds.

Also still present in the chasing peloton are Matthews, Pidcock and Girmay.

Lidl are leading the peloton.

Pidcock had been gapped, but made his way back on the descent.

A few more riders join the peloton on the descent - it's getting bigger.

The gap is getting bigger and bigger - the trio now have a minute on the peloton.

It seems the winner of the 2025 Milan-San Remo will be one of these three riders - Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, or Filippo Ganna.

They've raced well together so far, but on the Poggio will surely start racing each other.

The peloton is now over 30-seconds stronger. But do they have enough firepower to regain the minute they need to catch the leaders? It seems unlikely.

It's been decades since the Cipressa was as decisive as it appears to have been today. And of course it was PPogačar who made the move. He really is a once in a generation rider!

The trio are nearing the Poggio now.

We might be down to just three riders at the front, rather than the usual bunch who reach the foot of the Poggio together, but the tension is still unbearable. Which of these three will win? Can either hang on if and when Pogačar goes again?

10KM TO GO

55 seconds for the leaders as they come to within 1km of the start of the Poggio.

POGGIO

They take the right turn, and are on the Poggio!

POGACAR ATTACKS

Pogačar attacks, almost from the foot!

Van der Poel is on his wheel.

Ganna still has gas in the tank, and is trying to claw his way back.

Ganna looks to have been distenced now though.

Pogačar is now looking for Van der Poel to take a turn, but the Dutchman refuses.

The slowdown allows Ganna to nearly come back.

But Pogačar attacks again

He nearly cracked Van der Poel with that one, but not quite.

Now Van der Poel comes through to take a turn.

Ganna still hasn't given up. He's still only a few seconds behind.

Pogačar attacks again, Van der Poel follows him again.

Pogačar tires again 1km from the top, still Van der Poel follows. This is enthralling!

Meanwhile the peloton are about 45 seconds behind the 2 leaders.

VAN DER POEL ATTACKS

Van der Poel attacks!

He got a few bikelenghs of a gap, but Pog is back on his wheel.

Pogačar and Van der Poel reach the summit together.

Ganna isn't out of it, just a few seconds behind. But he's going to have to ride the descent of his life.

Van der Poel leads on the descent.

Pogačar is sticking close to his wheel.

This one's going to be really hard to call in a sprint. 

Ganna can just about see them ahead of him

For Van der Poel this would be the 7th monument of his career; for Pogačar, the 8th

Just 3km to go.

If the leading 2 play games ahead of the sprint, it could bring Ganna back into play.

For now though they're working together, both taking turns.

2km to go, Ganna is about 8 seconds beind Van der Poel and Pogačar.

Pogačar looks behind him looking for a turn from Van der Poel, and the pace slackens slightly.

1KM TO GO

Ganna is arrivng as they enter the final kilometre!

Ganna is back! It's to be a 3-up sprint.

Van der Poel leads

He doesn't want to though. The pace is off.

They're all looking at each other.

VAn der Poel makes his move..

VAN DER POEL WINS

Van der Poel wins!

Ganna 2nd, Pogačar 3rd

Van der Poel started is move very early, but held on.

Here comes the peloton for the sprint for 4th. It's still a large group.

Matthews takes 4th, Groves 5th.

What an incredible race that was, unique in recent year of Milan-Sanremo.

Van der Poel started the sprint very early, and got a gap. He kept going as Ganna tried to close it, but had enough of a lead for the Italian not to benefit much from his slipstream.

Watching Van der Poel and Pogačar go hammer and tongs at one another was astonishing to watch. It’s hard to remember a pair of riders so powerful trading blows like that in a classic.

We’re used to seeing Van der Poel reach the finish line alone, the victory long assured before he reached there. But not this time - as you can see from his response at crossing the line.

That was one of the closest of the 7(!) monuments Van der Poel has now won, but none the less impressive despite it. From how unbeatable ogačar has looked in the last twelve months, to see some not only follow his attacks, but get the better of him, was truly astonishing. 

Seven monuments means Van der Poel draw level with Pogačar on the all-time list, in joint seventh. He’s also now equalled Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara.

As for Pogačar, Milan-San Remo continues to be the one that got away. He did everything he could to win this one, taking out all but two of his rivals on the Cipressa, then attacking time and time again on the Poggio, but he still couldn’t do it. For someone so used to winning, he’ll be exasperated.

Here is the eventual podium, already clear as they go over the top of Cipressa.

A special mention for Filippo Ganna, who produced the ride of his life today. To make it to the finish with Pogačar and Van der Poel in form like this is some achievement, and he wasn’t that far away from getting the better of them both in the final sprint. He ends with another runner-up spot at Milan-San Remo following his second-place finish from 2023, and will surely earn the love and plaudits from the Tifosi.

Riding like this, Ganna could well be a contender for his other big target of the spring - Paris-Roubaix.

We might barely have seen him all day, but Michael Matthews continued his excellent record at Milan-SanRemo by winning the sprint for 4th. That means he extends his run of consecutive top 6 finishes here to five editions

For a man usually so cool and composed, Van der Poel was unusually emotional crossing the line.

And breathe. Thanks for joining us today for what was an explosive, memorable and, in recent decades, unique edition of Milan-San Remo.

The best thing is that this is only part one of what looks set to be an epic showdown between Van der Poel and Pogačar throughout the Spring. Whereas last year both riders kept winning the major classics by huge margins with long distance attacks, this time they’re coming up against each other, and, on the basis of today, seem almost impossible to split.

They’re next meet is set to be Friday’s E3 Saxo Classic, but in the meantime we’ll be back again on Wednesday for the Classic Brugge-De Panne where many of the sprinters denied today will have a chance to duke it out for the victory.