Monument season really kicked in.
Must say I've been fully enjoyed from the gun to the finish.
Milano - Sanremo being fully merciless as in most editions.
90% coffee pleasure and enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings here for 6 hours.
Myself drove the last half of the route by car during summer holidays now many years ago and stayed 7 great days at the Hotel Ariston Montecarlo with the swimming pool at the bottom of Poggio climb, borrowed the hotel's bikes (+20kg heavy 3-gear bikes and of course tried climb several times, as well and other climbs in the area - I was flying on my local hills with my far lighter race bike back home

).
And then the last 10% with full excitement and the ups and downs.
Can't hide my disappointment with Ganna's mechanical at most crucial moments.
Had visualized in dreams Ganna following Mohoric's wheel in an escape on the last part of the descent with Ganna winning a two man sprint. But it was not ment to be.
Just as I, as a Dane, could not hide my concern about Mads Pedersen's "strongman demonstration" on Cipressa, not saving everything for il Gran Finale. However, he would not stand as the winner anyway as the final unfolded. Not with Bling and Jasper back in the front group.
That's part of the ruthlessness of this race - and I love it for that.
The talks and writings about changing the route and spicing it up with a sea of extra climbs.
A polite "no thanks" from here.
This is the classic harbinger of spring, La Primavera. Just as this monument should be.
As the riders say - the easiest monument ridden, but the hardest to win.
Nota bene: Only objection from here would be to place the start in Milan instead of Pavia - hope they are back with the classic start in Milan next year.
Congratulations to Alpacin. They ran the race smartly.