2022 Milano-Sanremo Race Preview
The details of this year's 2022 Milano-Sanremo are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The queen of the classics returns to the calendar in mid-March, and once again the peloton will make the long journey from the Italian fashion capital down to the Ligurian coast, with the finish line on the Via Roma in Sanremo awaiting whoever can survive one of the most demanding days in professional cycling.
At nearly 300 kilometres, Milano-Sanremo is the longest race on the WorldTour calendar, and its sheer distance makes it unlike any other one-day race in the world. For much of the day the peloton rolls along at a controlled pace, conserving energy for the decisive moments that come in the final hour of racing. The Cipressa and the Poggio are the two climbs that traditionally shape the outcome, and it is on these slopes that the strongest riders in the world will look to make their moves.
The Poggio in particular, a relatively gentle climb that nevertheless comes after nearly 280 kilometres of racing, has a habit of splitting the race apart. Riders who might otherwise be left behind in a sprint have used its slopes to escape, while the sprinters dig deep to stay in contact with the leaders, knowing that if they can survive to the top they will be difficult to beat on the descent into Sanremo.
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert both arrive in excellent early-season form and will be among the most dangerous riders in the race. Tadej Pogacar has made no secret of his desire to add this race to his palmares, and his climbing ability makes him a genuine threat on the Poggio. Julian Alaphilippe is a former winner and will be eager to add a second monument to his record. Meanwhile the pure sprinters, led by the likes of Caleb Ewan and Jasper Philipsen, will be working hard to stay in contact over the climbs in hope of a finale on the Via Roma.
The weather along the Ligurian coast can be unpredictable in March, and conditions on the day could play a significant role in how the race unfolds. A wet road on the descent of the Poggio would add an extra dimension of danger and could influence how aggressively teams choose to race. With so many contenders capable of winning in different circumstances, this year's edition looks set to be one of the most open and exciting in recent memory.
Get our full coverage of the Milano-Sanremo and every race we cover with our mobile app! The apps have over 100 additional exclusive features, including our award-winning Time Machine feature that lets you pause/rewind/replay the entire app to sync with delayed race video, integrated Fantasy Cycling, push notifications, an integrated news feed, live GPS tracking, world-class commentary, and our animated interactive maps and profiles.
