ANALYSIS: It's finally time for Milano-Sanremo Women, but why has it taken so long to get here?

In 2025, women's cycling will witness a landmark moment with the inaugural edition of Milano-Sanremo Women. For over a century, the men’s race has stood as one of the most prestigious and gruelling one-day races on the calendar, celebrated for its history, unpredictability, and ability to crown cycling’s great champions.

The decision to introduce a women’s version is long overdue, and is a significant step in the continued expansion of elite women’s cycling. But why has it taken until 2025 for this race to become a reality? And what does its introduction mean for the sport?

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History

Milano-Sanremo has long held a unique place in cycling history. As the first Monument of the season, the race has been a proving ground for legends of the sport. Its near 300 kilometre route, stretching from the industrial city of Milan to the picturesque seaside town of Sanremo, has tested the limits of endurance and strategy.

Unlike the cobbled Monuments of Paris-Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders that come later in the spring, Milano-Sanremo is a race that allows for different styles of riders to shine, sprinters, climbers and everyone inbetween all have a shot at glory, depending on how the race unfolds.

The late-race climbs of the Cipressa and Poggio, combined with the sheer length of the course, make for an unpredictable finale, where a well-timed move can be the difference between victory and heartbreak.

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Despite its stature, a women's edition of Milano-Sanremo was never introduced alongside the men’s race in the 20th century, unlike some other Classics. For decades, women’s cycling faced structural barriers that limited its growth, including a lack of investment, media coverage, and the refusal of major race organizers to expand their events to include women.

While races like Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Flanders introduced women’s editions, Milano-Sanremo remained an outlier, with race organisers resistant to change.

One of the key reasons for the delay in establishing a women's Milano-Sanremo was the sheer length of the race. The men’s edition is the longest professional one-day race on the calendar, typically approaching 300 kilometres.

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Historically, there has been reluctance from governing bodies and race organisers to hold women’s races of comparable length, often citing outdated notions about endurance limits. Even as women’s cycling has continued to prove itself, breaking barriers with longer and tougher races, the argument against a women’s Milano-Sanremo persisted. However, recent changes in race structures and growing demand from riders and fans alike have pushed the sport toward greater parity.

Another factor that slowed progress was the lack of a direct precedent for a race of this magnitude in women’s cycling. While many of the major men’s Classics have added women’s editions over the years, Milano-Sanremo had no obvious template to follow. The race’s unique characteristics (its extraordinary distance and tactical unpredictability) meant that simply copying the men’s race was not a straightforward option. Race organisers needed to consider how best to adapt Milano-Sanremo for the women’s peloton while maintaining its essence.

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Before 2025, there were attempts to create prestigious one-day races in Italy for women, but none carried the weight or historical significance of Milano-Sanremo. The Trofeo Alfredo Binda, for instance, has been a staple of the Women’s WorldTour since 1974, providing a challenging course but lacking the grandeur of a true Monument.

The Giro d’Italia Donne, the women’s equivalent of the Giro d’Italia, has been a premier stage race, but it did not fill the gap for a long, historic one-day Italian Classic. In essence, the women’s calendar lacked an equivalent to La Primavera, leaving a major gap in the sport’s biggest one day races.

The push for a women’s Milano-Sanremo gained momentum in the last decade as women’s cycling saw significant growth. With increasing investment, stronger teams, and greater television coverage, the argument against holding a women’s version of the race became harder to justify.

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The success of Paris-Roubaix Femmes, introduced in 2021, demonstrated that demand for women’s editions of legendary races was not only strong but essential for the sport’s progress. That race quickly became a highlight of the calendar, proving that women’s cycling deserved its place alongside the historic Monuments.

With the establishment of a women’s Milano-Sanremo in 2025, organisers have acknowledged the need for equality and the growing appetite for more elite women’s races. The introduction of this race means that women will now compete in the same iconic setting that has defined men’s cycling history for over a century.

While the exact course details are slightly different (156km in length), the race will maintain the defining characteristics of the men’s edition, including the Cipressa and Poggio climbs, which have been the launchpads for many legendary attacks.

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The significance of the women’s Milano-Sanremo goes beyond just adding another race to the calendar, it is a statement about the legitimacy of women’s cycling and its place in the broader history of the sport. For decades, female riders have fought for more opportunities, and the inclusion of this race sends a powerful message that their efforts are being recognised slowly, but surely.

The impact of the race will be felt in multiple ways. Firstly, it offers an incredible opportunity for riders who excel in long, endurance based races. Much like in the men’s edition, the field will be open to both sprinters and attackers, creating an exciting dynamic where different strategies can play out.

In fact, it could be a perfect battleground for Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering.

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Secondly, the visibility of the race will inspire the next generation of female cyclists, who will now have another Monument to aspire to win. The inclusion of the race will also provide teams and sponsors with more incentive to invest in women’s cycling, knowing that these historic events are now part of the women’s calendar.

As the first edition of the women’s Milano-Sanremo approaches, the anticipation is sky high. Who will make history as the first winner? Will the race mirror the men’s event, with attacks on the Poggio and sprints on the Via Roma?

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One thing is certain: this race will not only crown a champion but will mark a pivotal step in the ongoing evolution of women’s cycling. It has taken far too long to reach this point, but now that it has arrived, Milano-Sanremo for women is set to become an integral part of the sport’s future, carrying forward the rich legacy of La Primavera while creating its own place in history.

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