Tadej Pogacar, one of the most decorated cyclists of his generation and a two-time winner of the Tour de France, clinched victory in the Milan-San Remo, the first Monument of the year. He emerged triumphant from a thrilling duel with British rider Tom Pidcock, who finished second, crossing the line simultaneously.
The Slovenian rider launched his decisive attack with 22 kilometers remaining in the grueling 298 km race. Only Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel were initially able to match his pace, but Van der Poel eventually fell back. Wout Van Aert, the 2020 winner of the race, powered through with a late sprint to secure the third spot on the podium, just four seconds behind the leading duo.
Milan-San Remo marks the first of cycling’s five ‘Monuments,’ a series of one-day races renowned as the most challenging and prestigious events on the professional calendar. Four of these iconic races unfold in the spring: the Tour of Flanders (April 5), Paris-Roubaix (April 12), Liège-Bastogne-Liège (April 26). The final Monument, Il Lombardia, takes place after the summer (October 10). With this victory, Pogacar has now claimed his first Milan-San Remo title, bringing his total Monument wins to four. Only Paris-Roubaix remains for him to complete the set.