ANALYSIS: What are the best monuments of recent years? Featuring Pogacar, Van der Poel and Evenepoel

With an electric finish, iconic names, and a record-breaking climb that reshaped the narrative of a race steeped in tradition, last weekend’s Milano-Sanremo is already being spoken of as perhaps the greatest edition in its 100+ year history. Mathieu van der Poel’s thrilling victory in a three-up sprint over Filippo Ganna and Tadej Pogacar capped off a day that had cycling fans and commentators in awe.

But how does it compare to other recent Monuments that have defined this golden generation of classics racing? Here we examine six of the best one-day races from recent seasons, and ask where 2025’s Sanremo ranks among them.

Let’s put it this way, the coming weeks on the cobblestones have a lot to live up to.

Let’s start with a recap of that incredible race from this weekend, a race which Mathieu van der Poel called it “the greatest Milano-Sanremo of all time.” And he may not be wrong.

What made this edition stand out wasn’t just the stars involved, but how the race unfolded. For the first time in nearly three decades, the Cipressa climb was decisive, with Tadej Pogacar shattering a long-standing record by more than 20 seconds. That aggression split the race far earlier than usual and reshaped the script of a race so often criticised for its predictable finalé.

By the Poggio, only the very best remained. Mathieu van der Poel and Pogacar crested the final climb together with Ganna just behind, and the three contested one of the most thrilling finishes in modern Monument history. Van der Poel, showcasing all his experience, edged Ganna in the final metres with a surprise long sprint, with Pogacar settling for third. The image of the three crossing the line, utterly spent, was already being compared to the iconic finishes of cycling’s past.

Tactically, emotionally, and in terms of sheer wattage, this race had everything. It also symbolised a new era where even Sanremo (traditionally a waiting game) could be decided 30 km from the line.

If Milano-Sanremo 2025 was the greatest sprint finish of recent times, then the 2023 Tour of Flanders may have been what Pogacar tried and failed to recreate.

Tadej Pogacar lined up on the start line, against defending champion Mathieu van der Poel. The Slovenian launched an incredible move on the Oude Kwaremont, distancing the Dutchman and then also Mads Pedersen.

What followed was a demonstration of power and poise. Pogacar soloed to Oudenaarde, becoming the second male rider to win three different monuments before turning 2025, a list that include Eddy Merckx.

It wasn’t a sprint or a battle to the line. This was one man against the race, and he conquered it.

For sheer visual impact, 2021’s Paris-Roubaix is unmatched. It was held in October due to complications from the pandemic, and the images of riders caked in mud, barely distinguishable from the cobbles, became iconic.

The race was chaotic from the outset, with crashes, mechanicals, and split groups defining the action. In the end, Sonny Colbrelli, in his debut appearance at Roubaix, sprinted to victory in the velodrome over Florian Vermeersch and Mathieu van der Poel. He collapsed in tears, completely spent, having written his name into history in one of the most unpredictable and grueling editions ever.

Colbrelli’s win wasn’t just about the conditions. It was about resilience, adapting mid-race, and seizing the moment when it came.

If 2021 was chaos, 2022 was control, at incredible speed.

Dylan van Baarle attacked with over 20 km to go and never looked back, winning solo in the fastest-ever edition of Paris-Roubaix. Averaging 45.8 km/h across the 257 km route – including the infamous Trouée d’Arenberg and Carrefour de l'Arbre, Van Baarle showed the perfect blend of endurance and precision.

One man who didn’t have a perfect day, was Wout van Aert who suffered multiple punctures. But that shouldn’t take anything away from Van Baarle, who was truly electric.

The time trial specialist used his knowledge of pacing and positioning to perfection, opening a gap on the cobbled sectors when it mattered most. While others punctured or faded, the Ineos rider surged. His victory was not just dominant; it was historic.

Though it lacked the messy drama of 2021, this was a Monument won with surgical execution – and at record-breaking speed.

In 2022, Remco Evenepoel had something to prove. Critics doubted his Grand Tour ambitions after a tough 2021 season, but in Liège–Bastogne–Liège, he reminded the world of his raw talent.

He launched a solo attack with more than 30 km remaining (on the legendary Côte de la Redoute_ and simply rode everyone off his wheel. The move echoed the best of Eddy Merckx or Bernard Hinault: a long-range, all-or-nothing effort that paid off in spectacular style.

For those who haven’t seen the move, it’s certainly worth a watch. Evenepoel was pushing so many watts when he exploded into action, that his bike initially struggled to keep up with him.

Evenepoel crossed the line with a gap of almost a minute, arms raised, silencing doubters and marking his arrival as a Monument man. It was Belgium’s first home win at Liège since Philippe Gilbert in 2011 and began Remco’s transformation from prospect to leader, as the Quick-Step team had been built around Julian Alaphilippe until then.

His post-race celebration, pointing to the sky in tribute to his late friend and teammate Bjorg Lambrecht, only added to the emotion of a race that brought history and humanity together.

The 2020 edition of Il Lombardia came under unique circumstances. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held in August rather than its usual October slot due to rescheduling of the grand tours, and the peloton arrived underprepared for the intense heat and attrition.

Jakob Fuglsang launched a decisive move on the Civiglio climb and eventually distanced George Bennett and Aleksandr Vlasov on the final ramps. It wasn’t the most high-profile field compared to some editions, but the race saw several contenders, including Remco Evenepoel, crash out, most notably on the descent of the Muro di Sormano.

Fuglsang’s win was tactically astute, using his experience and climbing legs to claim his second Monument (after Liège in 2019). While it may not have had the same drama or star-studded finale as some other editions, it was a race shaped by heat, risk, and high attrition, a Monument that reflected the strange rhythm of 2020’s racing calendar.

Each of these Monuments offered something unique: tactical brilliance, solo domination, brutal weather, or a history-making moment. But 2025’s Milano-Sanremo manages to tick almost every box.

It had:

In contrast to the long-range solos of Flanders 2023 or Liège 2022, Sanremo 2025 delivered suspense from 30 km out and climaxed with a sprint that could have gone to any of the final three riders.

What makes it stand out is how it redefined expectations. Sanremo has often been called “the easiest Monument to finish, the hardest to win,” with conservative racing and late attacks. This edition changed that. It proved that even Sanremo could be transformed by aggressive tactics and superstar legs.

Whether it ranks above Flanders 2023 or Roubaix 2021 comes down to personal taste. Some prefer long solos, others the spectacle of muddy carnage, others the perfection of pacing. But in terms of narrative, quality of riders, tactical variety, and visual drama, the 2025 Milano-Sanremo is unquestionably among the very best Monuments of the past decade.

It’s a race fans will talk about for years to come, and one that future editions will struggle to match.

Bring on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix!