Milano - Sanremo 2024, one day monument, March 16

[Cookster15]

I'll pick MVDP. Maybe Pog not explosive enough now although would be incredible if he could escape on La Cipressa and solo to the finish.

Pog, WvA and Ganna's Strava KOM climbing speed on the Poggio last year is simply nuts.

 

[Potomac]

Hmmm....now all the smart money will on the winner of Milano-Torino

 

[dazaau]

He's ready

I'm a big mvdp fan, but it also hurts me to cheer for someone with a mullet

 

[Blanco]

I think Pogacar and Van Der Poel will somehow cancel each other. Pogacar will not drive like a madman, like last year, knowing that it will go into Van Der Poel's favor, and Mathieu will be a tiny percent weaker than last year and will not be able to snap the elastics totally. I think they will drag couple of others with them at the top of the Poggio, and we will get the winner among those guys.
My pick: Toms Skujins.

 

[Tonton]

Is Evenepoel racing this, and if so, has the title been officially changed to Milan-San Remco in his honor yet?

This is worth a Post of The Year nomination. Thanks for the laugh!

 

[Netserk]

Is Evenepoel racing this, and if so, has the title been officially changed to Milan-San Remco in his honor yet?

Easy mistake to make, but San Remco is in August.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Poor Brandon Mcnulty having to ride this man, I've seen that boy all over the place and we're only 6 weeks into the season, those UAE selectors trying to kill him.

 

[scribers]

Honestly, so long as he doesn't have to wear a leader's jersey I think he will do just fine.

 

[Sciatic]

Is Evenepoel racing this, and if so, has the title been officially changed to Milan-San Remco in his honor yet?

While they’re at they should also change it to Pavia- San Remo/Remco.

 

[sam6]

Obvious choice is Milan, after all the race is named after him.

The start may be named after Milan, but the key climb is named after another rider in the race!

 

[DNP-Old]

I think Pogacar and Van Der Poel will somehow cancel each other. Pogacar will not drive like a madman, like last year, knowing that it will go into Van Der Poel's favor, and Mathieu will be a tiny percent weaker than last year and will not be able to snap the elastics totally. I think they will drag couple of others with them at the top of the Poggio, and we will get the winner among those guys.
My pick: Toms Skujins.

Based on what, exactly?

 

[Bolder]

I'm a big mvdp fan, but it also hurts me to cheer for someone with a mullet

I'd be more concerned about that giant pastry he has to haul up the Poggio.

 

[Bolder]

I think Pogacar and Van Der Poel will somehow cancel each other. Pogacar will not drive like a madman, like last year, knowing that it will go into Van Der Poel's favor, and Mathieu will be a tiny percent weaker than last year and will not be able to snap the elastics totally. I think they will drag couple of others with them at the top of the Poggio, and we will get the winner among those guys.
My pick: Toms Skujins.

This is how I probably see it playing out...although, unless Pogacar tries something on the Cipressa just in case there's a few seconds of hesitation behind, what other choice does he have other than to go thermonuclear on the Poggio to try to drop everyone?

I suppose Pog could try to go from a small group early at the finish, hoping again for a bit of uncertainty, but that would probably be just a long leadout for someone else...

Not having Wout in the field will benefit Pogacar because MvdP often keys off him for attacks, I think. MvdP sometimes (often) has positioning issues so may have to make up a lot of ground on the Poggio. I have no idea what MvdP's shape is and he may not either. Last year we (myself included) thought he was a bit undercooked.

Still, Pedersen is my pick from a small group. So much drama in just 10k...

 

[Boes]

Poggy and MVP to cancel each other out on the Poggio.
Everything comes back together in de descend/flat before the finish.

Laporte to outsprint them in a reduced bunch sprint.

 

[scribers]

A lot of chatter about the cipressa this year. We sit in the edge of our seats as it unfolds

 

[Blanco]

Based on what, exactly?

Based on the fact that this is his first day of road racing this year.

 

[DNP-Old]

Based on the fact that this is his first day of road racing this year.

Yet everyone around him says he is much better this year, how come?

 

[Jan the Man]

Heart says Pogacar. Head says MvdP or both he and Pogacar cancel each other out and this is the year for either Pederson or Laporte.

 

[Blanco]

Yet everyone around him says he is much better this year, how come?

Let's see then...
It has to be some heck of a performance to tops his last year's win.
I still think he would be better with some racing in his legs.

 

[shadowrider]

Poor Brandon Mcnulty having to ride this man, I've seen that boy all over the place and we're only 6 weeks into the season, those UAE selectors trying to kill him.

Indeed. Unless he gets a long rest after San-Remo.

 

[Brullnux]

Shared in the Pog thread, but there's been a landslide near Finale Ligure and if it's not cleared in time then Le Manie will likely be used as it is the best alternative route.

In that case, hard to see past a Bettiol 100km solo.

 

[search]

Let's see then...
It has to be some heck of a performance to tops his last year's win.
I still think he would be better with some racing in his legs.

for most races I would agree, as van der Poel indeed seems to improve with a couple of racing days. In Sanremo he even finished 3rd when coming back straight from injury, though, so he probably doesn't need perfect preparation to come close to his best.

 

[Nick2413]

A lot of riders seem to have leveled up this year. Wouldn’t be surprised if more can hang around with the typical names.

 

[Drew]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1768261931708612804

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1768261931708612804

 

[bNator]

Based on what, exactly?

Similar kind of "facts" you are using when making your arguments against other riders...