Milano-Sanremo 2025, the First Great Classic of the Season

Milano-Sanremo 2025, the First Great Classic of the Season

Milano-Sanremo 2025, spectacular sprint victory for Mathieu van der Poel over Filippo Ganna and Tadej Pogacar!

Milano-Sanremo 2025: a memorable sprint

The Milano-Sanremo 2025 ended with a spectacular victory of Mathieu van der Poel, who won over Filippo Ganna and Tadej Pogacar. The race, known as the Classicissima di Primavera, offered excitement right to the last metre of the 288-kilometre route. Alpecin-Deceuninck‘s strategy was decisive, with van der Poel attacking with 300 metres to go, surprising his rivals. Filippo Ganna, despite an extraordinary performance, had to settle for second place, while Pogacar finished third. This success marks the third consecutive victory for the Alpecin-Deceuninck team in the competition, replicating a historic hat-trick.

Mathieau van der Poel: the winning strategy at Milano-Sanremo 2025

The Dutchman’s show of strength came on the Poggio

Mathieu van der Poel once again proved his talent at Milano-Sanremo 2025 with a legendary performance. While everyone expected a short sprint, the Dutch champion surprised by starting from a distance, showing impeccable strategy.

A memorable attack

1. Dry start, wet finish: despite the adverse weather, van der Poel kept his wits about him**.**
2. Sprinting with 300 metres to go, he left his rivals, including Filippo Ganna and Tadej Pogačar, with no options.

Post-race reflection

Van der Poel expressed his admiration for his opponents, emphasising the honour of beating them in one of cycling’s most prestigious events.

Triumph at Milano-Sanremo 2025: Van der Poel, Ganna and Pogačar on the podium

The Spring Classic 2025 ended with a masterful performance by Mathieu van der Poel. With his astonishing victory, the Dutchman demonstrated tenacity and tactical astuteness. Filippo Ganna gave an outstanding show of strength, also deserving a 10; his ability to keep pace with the titans of cycling was admirable. Despite his third place, Tadej Pogačar highlighted his aggressive strategy on the Cipressa, confirming himself as one of the greatest. Beyond the protagonists, the race highlighted the talent of Michael Matthews and Matteo Trentin, who with consistency and experience finished among the best.

What is the Milano Sanremo for cycling sport

The Milano-San Remo 2025, known as “The Spring Classic,” represents one of the most prestigious events in the cycling calendar.

It is one of cycling’s five Monument Classics and marks the start of the spring Classics season, renowned for its length and the challenges its climbs pose to riders from all over the world.

The race is scheduled for Saturday 22nd March 2025 , and this year it will start in Pavia and finish like every year on the long straight of Via Roma in Sanremo , after covering an impressive distance of 289 kilometres. The route is designed to test the endurance and tactics of the cyclists, including key climbs such as Cipressa and Poggio di Sanremo . This strategic planning promises to challenge every rider, requiring not only physical strength but also meticulous preparation and race strategy.

Among the obligatory favorites this year are the “usual” ones Tadej Pogačar , Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel , who represent the elite of today’s world cycling.

Historical significance of the Milan-Sanremo

Interestingly, the Milan-San Remo is not only the longest one-day cycling race, averaging around 300 km, but also one of the oldest, with its roots dating back to 1907. This makes it a pillar of cycling’s heritage, an event that has seen the legends of this sport as protagonists over the years.

The Milano–San Remo , hailed as “The Spring Classic”, is a milestone in the world of professional cycling, recognised among the five Monument races , alongside the Tour of Flanders , Paris–Roubaix , Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Tour of Lombardy .

This report offers an in-depth look at the 116th edition , scheduled for March 22, 2025 , providing insights into the date, route, participants and historical context to ensure detailed understanding for both enthusiasts and casual spectators.

Details on the route of the Milan-Sanremo 2025

As mentioned, this year the race starts in Pavia. For some years now the name of the race Milan-Sanremo has been fictitious, as Milan is considered a metropolitan area. For example, last year the Milan-Sanremo started in Abbiategrasso. The route initially heads north towards Milan, passing through historic starting points and iconic places such as Certosa, before continuing through Casteggio, Voghera, Rivanazzano and Salice Terme. It then follows the traditional route through Tortona, Ovada and over the Passo del Turchino, descending towards Genova-Voltri, and continuing along the Aurelia coastal road through Varazze, Savona, Albenga and Imperia.

Cipressa and Poggio di Sanremo are worth noting . Cipressa, added in 1982, spans 5.6km with an average gradient of 4.1%, while Poggio di Sanremo, introduced in 1961, covers 3.7km with gradients reaching 8% in its first 2km, offering four corners. The final 9km include a technical descent with narrow, twisting roads, leading to the finish on Via Roma in Sanremo for a sprint finish, with the final 2km on long straights, including a left-hander at 850m and a final bend at 750m, all on tarmac.

The Key points of the Milan-Sanremo 2025

When: March 22, 2025
Start: Pavia
Finish: Sanremo
Distance: 289 km
Favorite runners: Tadej Pogačar , Jasper Philipsen, Mathieu van der Poel

Presentation of the Milano-San Remo cycle race

The most awaited moment of the year for all cycling fans has finally arrived: the Milano-Sanremo is just around the corner and the tension in the air is palpable. The ‘spring classic’, as it is also called, is one of the longest and most demanding races on the cycling circuit, but also one of the most loved and eagerly awaited.

Saturday 22nd March 2025 will be the big day: the racers will set off this year from Pavia, on the outskirts of Milan, to tackle the 289 km of this epic race, crossing the hills of Lombardy and Liguria until they reach Sanremo, where the finish line will be held.

Milano-Sanremo 2025: the route and programme

The route of the first ‘Monument Race’ of the season is exciting and full of emotion. With a length of 289 km, the route culminates in the classic finale that includes the famous climbs of Cipressa and Poggio, and then ends with the finish line in Via Roma in Sanremo. A route that promises spectacle and exciting challenges for cycling fans.

The start of the Milano-Sanremo 2025 will take place on 22nd March from Pavia, a novelty that adds a touch of freshness and originality to the Classicissima. This edition, number 116, is the first of five ‘Monument Classics’ of the season and promises to be an unmissable event for cycling fans. The presentation of the teams will take place on the Piazza della Vittoria, adding further glamour to the event.

The race route is designed to offer a mix of flat roads and challenging climbs, guaranteeing spectacle and adrenaline for spectators. After the first 44 km of flat roads straddling the Ticino River, the route winds its way through iconic locations such as Casteggio, Ovada, and the Passo del Turchino, before entering Liguria along the Aurelia.

The Turchino is a 25-kilometre climb that tests the cyclists’ legs already in the first kilometres of the race. Once they reach the summit, the riders head towards the Ligurian coast, where they tackle the Passo della Cipressa and the Poggio di Sanremo, the two decisive climbs of the race.

The Cipressa climb is a 5.6-kilometre climb with an average gradient of 4.1% and an altitude difference of 237 metres, while the Poggio di Sanremo is a shorter but steeper climb with an average gradient of 3.8% over a distance of 3.7 kilometres and an altitude difference of 137 metres. These two climbs, especially the Poggio, are decisive for the final victory, as they offer the strongest riders the opportunity to attack and escape the peloton.

Once off the Poggio, the racers set off towards the final finish line in Sanremo, where the winner will be crowned after almost seven hours of racing.

The climbs of Cipressa and Poggio di Sanremo add a touch of challenge and unpredictability to the race, culminating with the thrilling finish in Via Roma.

The favourites for Milano-Sanremo 2025

But who are the favourites to win this edition of the ‘Classicissima’? Let’s find out together, based on the latest news and the riders’ performances in the latest races.

Almost all insiders give the following four champions as favourites:

• Mathieu Van der Poel, reigning world champion is definitely the man to beat. He won Milano-San Remo 2023 and also won Paris-Roubaix in 2023. He is also the only rider in cycling history to have won both the cyclo-cross and road world championships in the same year (2023). A true phenomenon.
• Wout Van Aert, the world champion’s lifelong rival since his teenage days when the two battled in cyclo-cross races in Flanders and the Netherlands. He suffers early-season restarts, as he did last year, where he was the big loser in all the monumental classics. In our opinion, he is turning into a grand tour rider and we expect him at this year’s Tour de France, but a breakaway by a champion like him is far from unlikely.
• Filippo Ganna has a good chance, but perhaps he has a physical structure that suits other monumental classics. We cannot fail to mention him, but we do not see him first at the finish line, although as Italians we cheer for him. Last year he was beaten and came third, yes, but second and not by a little.
• Tadej Pogačar won Milano-San Remo last year. He has the right physique to tackle the fast climbs of Milano-Sanremo. In 2022 he came very close to victory, but attacked too early and was mocked by Mohorič. If he is fit, he could definitely win. One note: the only monumental classic in which Pogačar participates in 2024 is precisely Milano-San Remo, because then he will concentrate on the two rounds, the one in Italy and the one in France, as well as the Olympics in Paris. The impression is that for Pogačar this Milano-Sanremo is an ‘all in’ as far as road classics are concerned. We will definitely see him in the limelight.
• Matej Mohorič. Another Slovenian rider who needs no introduction. He already won the race in 2022, beating Van der Poel, and could take on the role of the outsider, but he could also be a team player: if his teammates support him, he could win. Of Mohorič we cannot fail to remember the crazy descent of 2022 on the narrow roads of the Poggio. A descent that is already in cycling history.
• Michael Pedersen. A name, a guarantee. It will all depend on his form, but rest assured that in the final kilometres he will be there.
• Remco Evenepoel, in our opinion the natural talent who on the right day can win any race (like Van der Poel and Van Aert). His ‘handling’ in the race is true pedalling genius, we call him the ‘Rembrandt of cycling’.
• Thomas Pidcock has the ‘physique du role’ for this race. We don’t know if he will win this year, but he will certainly enter the roll of honour of this event. Milano-San Remo and Pidcock seem made for each other.
• Caleb Ewan, also not to be missed in this list. Favourite by right. Point.

Technical information on the route of this year’s Milano-Sanremo

The route of the Milan-Sanremo 2025 is an exciting adventure that starts in Pavia, crosses the flat roads of the Ticino and returns to the classic route in Casteggio. From there, it follows the road that has connected Milan to the Western Riviera for more than 110 years, passing through iconic places such as Ovada, the Turchino Pass and Genova Voltri. Continuing along the Aurelia state road, you pass through picturesque towns such as Varazze, Savona, Albenga and Imperia. In San Lorenzo al Mare, after tackling the classic Capi (Mele, Cervo and Berta) climbs, the two challenging ascents of the last decades: the Cipressa and the Poggio di Sanremo. The Cipressa, with its 5.6 km at 4.1%, introduces a technical descent that leads back to the SS1 Aurelia. While the Poggio di Sanremo, with its 3.7 km at less than 4% average gradient, presents a climb with a slightly narrowed roadway and 4 hairpin bends in the first 2 km. The descent is equally challenging, with paved roads and a series of hairpin bends and curves leading to the finish in the town of Sanremo. The last 2 km wind along long straights on city streets, with bends and counter-bends that test the athletes until the final straight in Via Roma. An enthralling course that tests the cyclists’ endurance and skills, offering spectacle and unique emotions along the entire route.

The 2025 race is around 289 kilometres long, with a total elevation gain of 2,388 metres (not a few to start the cycling season after winter), and cyclists face several climbs, including the Passo del Turchino and the Poggio di Sanremo. The final climb, the Poggio di Sanremo, is challenging and often determines the winner of the race. The Milano-Sanremo is a very fast race, where the average hourly mileage is always very high and the climbs, which are not as hard as in the Alpine stages of the great European tours, do however make a lot of selection, due to the pugnacity of the athletes in the race. The result is almost always a hard-fought race, with sprints and counter-sprints, which result in the fitter rider triumphing. In addition, considering that we are at the beginning of the world cycling season (at least in the northern hemisphere!), the cyclists are often still at the beginning of their preparation for the season, so it happens quite often that there are resounding débacles by the most famous and favourite cyclists. Last but not least, another factor characterising the spectacular nature of the race is the bizarre and capricious weather, typical of the March season, and it has often happened, in the history of the event, that there have been weather conditions of heavy rain or cold that have conditioned the outcome of the race and provided a spectacle for us fans.

The Milano-Sanremo is a highly anticipated race for fans all over the world, as it marks the start of the classic cycling season. But the Milano-Sanremo is not only a race for cycling fans. It is also a unique opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful and evocative areas of Italy, such as the green hills of Lombardy and the coast of Liguria. The view of the mountains and the sea will be the backdrop to the spectacle of the cyclists who will compete in a race to the last kilometre.

The history of Milano-San Remo

The Milano-Sanremo has a long history behind it, dating back to 1907 when Frenchman Lucien Petit-Breton won. Over the years, the race has seen great champions triumph, with Eddy Merckx and Costante Girardengo holding the record for victories. The traditional uncertainty that characterises the Classicissima has been confirmed by the last 16 editions, which have seen no fewer than 16 different winners. An unmissable event for fans of cycling and thrills.

The challenge is tough, and only the strongest and most prepared cyclists will be able to withstand the fast pace of the race. For cycling fans in Milan, the start of the Milano-Sanremo is an event not to be missed. The atmosphere will be charged with emotion and adrenaline, with the noise of the bicycles mingling with the cheers of the fans.

The Milano-Sanremo is one of the oldest and most prestigious cycling races in the world, held annually since 1907. It is one of the most important cycling classics on the UCI circuit and traditionally takes place at the end of March. The race is around 300 kilometres long, with the finish in Sanremo, passing through the Ligurian hills. The first edition took place back in 1907, when a group of courageous cyclists set off from the city of Milan with the aim of reaching the coastal city of Sanremo, located over 290 kilometres away.

The race, also known as ‘The Spring Classic’, has been held almost every year since 1907, with some exceptions due to the two world wars and other organisational difficulties. During this long period, Milano-San Remo has become one of the most important races on the international cycling calendar and the first major classic of the season.

The route of the race has changed over the years, but the main feature has always been the length of the race, which requires excellent physical and mental preparation on the part of the riders. The Poggio climb, which is about 10 kilometres from the finish, has become a crucial point of the race, where the decisive action often breaks out.

The Milano-Sanremo has seen the participation of cycling’s greatest champions, from Fausto Coppi to Eddy Merckx, from Bernard Hinault to Miguel Indurain, from Mario Cipollini to Paolo Bettini. Some of these riders have won the race more than once, but none has ever reached the record of seven victories held by the legendary Costante Girardengo.

The Milano-Sanremo has also been the scene of many epic feats and breathtaking finishes, such as Eddy Merckx‘s victory in 1971, when he beat his rival Roger De Vlaeminck in a sprint, or Fabian Cancellara‘s in 2008, when he attacked on the Poggio and held on until the end.

Every year, the Milano-Sanremo attracts the attention of the media and fans from all over the world, who are fascinated by the exploits of the cyclists and the beautiful scenery the race passes through.

Outlook for the upcoming cycling competitions of the season

After Milano-San Remo, the great classics of Flanders and Belgium will begin. In any case, Milan-San Remo is a race that remains every year as the first seal on a victorious racing season. Whoever wins at Milano-Sanremo enters cycling history forever. It has always happened and always will. An epic challenge that tests the endurance and willpower of the riders, but also provides moments of great beauty and spectacle for us spectators. We just have to wait until 16 March and cheer on our favourite champions!

The calendar of the next monumental classics is as follows for the current year:

• Tour of Flanders: 6th April 2025
• Paris-Roubaix: 13rd April 2025
• Liège-Bastogne-Liège: 27th April 2025
• Tour of Lombardy: 11st October 2025

We also mention the Amstel Gold Race on 20th April 2025 (not a classic monument, but we mention it anyway).

The Giro d’Italia 2025 will take place from 9th May to 1st June 2025, while the Tour de France will run from 5th to 27th July 2025. The World Championships will be for the first time in Africa, and precisely in Ruanda in Kigali from 21st to 28th September 2025.

Milano-Sanremo Official Website

Where to sleep to see the Milano-Sanremo

The luxurious entrance lounge of an hotel melegnano

If you want to experience the Milano-Sanremo, we recommend staying at one of our AN Hotels, strategically located just a few kilometres from the city centre of Milan. At AN Hotels we offer our guests spacious, tastefully furnished rooms with all the comforts for a pleasant and relaxing stay. We are out of the hustle and bustle, but at the same time close to the centre, which can be reached in 15 minutes by metro from San Donato Milanese metro station or 20 minutes by train from Milan-Rogoredo railway station.

In addition, upon request, we at AN Hotels organise car rental with driver for your transfer to the start of the race in the centre of Abbiategrasso.

For any request or information contact us or book directly here.

AN Hotel Melegnano
Email: info@an-hotels.com
Phone: +390280012312
Address: Via Don Dossetti, 2 Carpiano, Milano 20074

AN Park Hotel ibis Styles Settala
Email: info@an-hotels.com
Phone: +3902839901
Address: Via delle Industrie, Snc, 20090 Milano