Milano - Sanremo 2025, one day monument, March 22

Page 12 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Feb 18, 2015
13,820
9,810
28,180
Cooperation only helps Pogacar. See RVV 2023.

Especially Pidcock should 100% not contribute.
But then I think Ganna should100% contribute . I just don't think a flat TT specialist would suffer more on the section between Cipressa and Poggio than Pogacar. And it gives him a clear path to winning other than "sneak away on the flat bit at the end".
Generally I'm not sure the guys who'll be good on the hills but aren't bunch sprinters aren't all increasing their chances of winning by cooperating. Yeah Pidcock might get cooked on the Poggio but I think there is at least a reasonable chance he would hang on and in the sprint he can absolutely beat Pogacar. Maybe they are a little more likely to hang on if they arrive at the Poggio in a bunch, but again, what's their path to winning then?
 
Feb 20, 2012
53,933
44,320
28,180
But then I think Ganna should100% contribute . I just don't think a flat TT specialist would suffer more on the section between Cipressa and Poggio than Pogacar. And it gives him a clear path to winning other than "sneak away on the flat bit at the end".
Generally I'm not sure the guys who'll be good on the hills but aren't bunch sprinters aren't all increasing their chances of winning by cooperating. Yeah Pidcock might get cooked on the Poggio but I think there is at least a reasonable chance he would hang on and in the sprint he can absolutely beat Pogacar. Maybe they are a little more likely to hang on if they arrive at the Poggio in a bunch, but again, what's their path to winning then?
Ganna will be drafting the least in a group like that.

I would actually like for Ganna to attack from the group before the Poggio.
 
Oct 21, 2024
38
47
630
I'm a big Pidcock fan but I really don't know why you think he can beat Pogacar in a sprint. Has he ever in any race? I can't think of any. I'm not sure that PIdcock is still at the sprinting level he showed in 2021 and i recall an interview from 18 months when he said his he'd lost his sprint which he attributed to knee pain.

At the end of a tough race, Pogacar has outsprinted Pederson at least twice, and even beat Van Aert in a sprint in Canada in 2022.
 
Jul 15, 2021
1,043
2,148
7,680
I'm a big Pidcock fan but I really don't know why you think he can beat Pogacar in a sprint. Has he ever in any race? I can't think of any. I'm not sure that PIdcock is still at the sprinting level he showed in 2021 and i recall an interview from 18 months when he said his he'd lost his sprint which he attributed to knee pain.

At the end of a tough race, Pogacar has outsprinted Pederson at least twice, and even beat Van Aert in a sprint in Canada in 2022.
Not to open that particular can of worms, but he (almost) beat Van Aert in a sprint at AGR.
 
May 5, 2010
51,696
30,244
28,180
Trek's been shopping.

485734325_1038929968264990_5779562095012897315_n.jpg


(They're not selling that at my local LIDL...)
 
May 6, 2021
12,815
23,769
22,180
Philipsen cleared and will race win.
If Alpecin think he's not in condition to win after his crash, I think it's stiill worth them taking him for presence alone as a theoretical tactical card, so VDP can point behind a bit after the Poggio to get some respite. Even if he's crocked, 'Big-6 Jasper' as an idea still has power, like Roglic on Granon.
 
May 19, 2011
1,638
718
12,680
Not to open that particular can of worms, but he (almost) beat Van Aert in a sprint at AGR.
Pidcock smoked WvA in a 3 up sprint in Brabanste Pijl. Pidcock can definitely win a small group sprint against the Classics specialists elite. I'm not sure where this notion has come from that he coudn't beat Pog in a sprint has come from. That said, I still think his best chance comes from following Pog and then using his descending skills on a wet Poggio.
 

MJR

Mar 22, 2024
217
412
2,130
I really don't see Ganna having a chance to win. He's more likely to be helping someone else unwittingly.

I tend to agree. I just can't imagine a scenario where he doesn't drag somebody who's able to outsprint him. Plus, his great form of late puts a "don't let me go" bullseye on his back.

Philipsen cleared and will race win.

I can't imagine he keeps his same number of stars on the fav's list. He's gonna be sore and one needs every last % point to win this race.
 
  • Like
Reactions: veganrob
Nov 16, 2013
26,686
27,791
28,180
I can't imagine he keeps his same number of stars on the fav's list. He's gonna be sore and one needs every last % point to win this race.
Does one really? I would actually think this is the one race where you can win without being in absolute peak condition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SHAD0W93
Sep 20, 2017
12,416
23,479
28,180
Does one really? I would actually think this is the one race where you can win without being in absolute peak condition.
This is the one race you can win without being in absolute peak condition, but only if you can make it over the Poggio without being in said absolute peak condition. So the crash is more debilitating for Philipsen than it would have been for most of the other favourites.
 
Apr 10, 2019
12,078
15,990
23,180
Imagine if another team goes full roadblock FC at the start of the Cipressa, just for a short time to disrupt the UAE plan...
 
Nov 16, 2013
26,686
27,791
28,180
This is the one race you can win without being in absolute peak condition, but only if you can make it over the Poggio without being in said absolute peak condition. So the crash is more debilitating for Philipsen than it would have been for most of the other favourites.

True.
 
Aug 12, 2012
6,996
1,011
20,680
Really interesting this year La Classicissima. Pogacar goes on writting his legend and this race is important. Not easy for him. Not easy to drop some Riders Who are specialist for climbs as Poggio. In current cycling they must even brake in the corners climbing Poggio. Not the best descender, very good anyway, and lot ot his rivales are better Sprinter...if the objetive would be the podium, is almost sure in most of scenarios for him, except lot of sprinters at the end, but imwith him attacking with all at Poggio that is not easy. So, he is not even the favourite, even when is almost sure he will be the stronger

Things to consider:

How is really Van der Poel..if he is not at his best is good for Pogacar . It is maybe the most difficult for him to drop a Poggio.

His team looks very strong, especially Del Toro, and this time he could play with his team at Poggio.

Weather conditions: the only good change for him to win this race is a more selective race and a good help for that is bad weather conditions. It is true that a very cold race could benefit rivals as Mad Perdersen, but IS not the case. Rain and more or lees cold in the first part. Good conditions after Turchino..but quite windy at the end....the problemas is that wind will be all the race tailwind...even changing at the same way that the parcours. Just Cross wind and not well protected at some points of capos close to the see, and maybe at some points of Cipresa. I dont know how could affect, but that make the race harder than last year, so I think if Pogacar is the same strong he has a clear chance to win.

I think he need a real hard pace at Cipresa, but not really attack there himself. But anyway, It is an option.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregrowlerson
Aug 12, 2012
6,996
1,011
20,680
So pumped. While I'm sure its bad for the riders, I'm not sure if rain will also be bad or good for the racing. That descent is already sketchy - and 300km of riding around in the rain for 20min of action at the end would be horrible. Not even sure it would suit Pog. Maybe pederson :sweatsmile:

Also - we have got to stop referring to these in threads as "one day monuments"
It is not likely rain at Poggio, but It could rain a little at that hours there. If happens, It will chance a lot the race, specially at the descent, but would make harder the climb as well. Pogacar have to risk in the descent in all the scenarios, so for him better no rain there, just from Milano to Turchino to make a harder race.
 
Feb 24, 2015
818
819
12,180
Wow that’s interesting about over 50 years since a WC won msr
Highlighting the main characteristic of MSR: UNPREDICTABILITY.

It's a virtual tombola - and yes the big names will be there in the final mix - but who eventually gets it is as hard to predict as [content deleted]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: scribers

TRENDING THREADS