Annemiek van Vleuten previews the inaugural Milano-Sanremo Women: "I would like to see women cycle the same distance as men in the future"

As the women’s peloton prepares for the very first edition of Milano-Sanremo Women, one of cycling’s most decorated figures, Annemiek van Vleuten, has shared her perspective on the huge event. The Dutch legend, who retired in 2023 after a glittering career that included overall victories at the Tour de France Femmes, Giro Donne, and La Vuelta Femenina, as well as Olympic and World Championship titles, spoke to WielerFlits about what to expect from the race and how she hopes it evolves in the future.

While the introduction of a women’s version of the iconic Italian classic is a major step forward, van Vleuten believes the differences between the men’s and women’s events are significant.

“It won't surprise you, but the Milan-San Remo for women is not the same kind of race as the one for the men," van Vleuten said. "It is extremely long there, while the 156 kilometres for women is a distance that they are used to riding. So the distance will not be that special for the women. While that is what makes it special for the men. That is also why the final is interesting, because that long race allows you to drop people on a climb of less than 4% on average.”

Having built her career on thriving in endurance challenges, van Vleuten is a vocal advocate for extending race lengths in the women’s calendar.

“Actually, I would like to see women cycle the same distance as men in the future. Not because it is interesting for TV, because then you only have to broadcast the last hour of the race for me. Or the last two hours. But I think it would be great if women could show that they can easily cycle 300 kilometers. Hopefully they will do that step by step. That the return now is a nice start, but that in the coming years it will also be the longest race on the women's calendar. So with a distance of just over 200 kilometers.

"There is no such race yet. Although I don't want to be negative. This is a very nice start. But it is a race with a different character than we are used to from Milan-San Remo for men. I don't have the same feeling about the women's race as I do about the men's race, which is extremely long with all the dead birds at the end and that you can make the difference because of that."

Much remains unknown about how this new race will play out, and van Vleuten is curious to see how the Cipressa and Poggio (the decisive climbs in the men’s event) will influence the outcome in a shorter, more explosive version.

“I don't really know how it will turn out or how distinctive those climbs will be. You can indeed say that because of the shorter distance, female riders have all the energy to ride those last two climbs very hard. They don't arrive there very tired. I think it will be relatively quiet until the foot of the Cipressa. But because the difference in level is also greater for the women, I don't expect them to start the Poggio with a hundred women.

“On the other hand, I don't see the climbers on a Poggio with an average of 3.7% really dropping other women after just 150 kilometers. It's possible, but the advantage of being on the wheel is great. It depends on the wind. Only, as I just said: the fatigue factor is not that great, unless they start racing very aggressively. On the Capi's, for example. Of course, there is less control in women's cycling. So that might provoke an attack sooner. In that respect, a shorter race might actually be fun!”

One of the most compelling aspects of the debut edition, van Vleuten suggests, is the uncertainty surrounding which type of rider the course will favour.

“I think that's really fantastic! That means that the teams don't really know what to expect. They actually just send their best riders to the front: climbers, sprinters, classics specialists: everyone is there. In the women's peloton, we just don't really know yet what kind of race this is going to be. Or for which kind of rider this is going to be very suitable and how it's going to go. That's exactly what makes it such an interesting race to follow on Saturday.”

Asked to name her top contenders, van Vleuten was quick to back SD Worx’s star Lotte Kopecky, citing her climbing ability and sharp preparation. That being said, we are yet to see what sort of form Kopecky is in in 2025.

“I think that Lotte's chances are much greater than Lorena's. She has shown in the past year that she climbs better. I think Kopecky is also someone who can ride herself into shape by training hard, which she has done now. For me, she is a rider who doesn't need many races to get better. She can prepare herself very well.

“I expect her to be there on Saturday. Although I also think that SD Worx is betting on two horses. If the final goes less fast than expected, Lorena can follow. And then I can imagine that Kopecky will pull the sprint for her. But before that, she will definitely want to seize her own chance on the Poggio. That also suits her very well.”

On Demi Vollering’s chances and the tactical dynamic that may unfold, van Vleuten offered a measured take.

“If a leading group gets away and both teams are not doing well, then I expect that they will look at each other again, just like in Omloop. Only I don't see the scenario you describe happening. Kopecky is a rider who really relies on her own strength. A tactic of SD Worx could be to first follow Vollering and then crash over her. But I don't expect Lotte to only ride defensively. Only it won't just be FDJ-SUEZ against SD Worx. Although I must also say that the latter team has a very strong team here, with many pawns."

She added that the way the final selections form over the Poggio could have major consequences for the closing kilometres.

“The main question is who will come together on the Poggio. And will they find each other? Suppose that is someone from FDJ-SUEZ and SD Worx: will they continue to ride together to the finish? That could be to Balsamo’s advantage, if there is any doubt on top of the Poggio.

"Then she can come back. Especially because she is Italian and Lidl-Trek also has a strong block: write her down, Balsamo is really a biter. Although I would still give most of the stars to Kopecky.”

Van Vleuten also expressed excitement over the emergence of new talent and the presence of seasoned champions.

“I was very pleased to see that the very young Cat Ferguson came third last Saturday. Now I don’t think she will win Milan-San Remo here, but for a first-year she had an impressive sprint in her legs in the Trofeo Alfredo Binda. A very good purchase from my old team Movistar. And Blanka Kata Vas came second there, she is another strong player of SD Worx. She can also descend well.

“Then we have Marianne Vos of course. She just returned from an altitude training camp and immediately came fourth in Binda. She will be a step better on Saturday. Marianne is someone who always needs a few races to get to her best form, I think. You don't just ride Vos off the Poggio and she is also a good descender. On the other hand, Marianne was very parked uphill in Binda. Vollering saw that and it will be motivating. So Demi knows that she will have to go really hard uphill to drop certain riders.”

The start list isn’t final yet, but Van Vleuten expressed disappointment at the likely absence of former rival Anna van der Breggen.

“I am still keeping my options open until the final starting list is available. It would be a shame for the viewer. She shows us many beautiful, attacking races. I would have liked to see her there. She would have been someone who, together with Vollering, could have opened up the race very early on.

"Then you would have had another great duel with Demi and they could have gone head to head. They should have won in a similar way. So yes, I think that is a shame.”

As for her podium picks? “Lotte Kopecky on one…Elisa Balsamo on two and then Puck Pieterse on three.”

So no Vollering in the frame according to the Dutch woman, but do you agree with Van Vleuten? Or will another rider take charge in the first version of Milano-Sanremo Donne? Either way, we can’t wait for the action to get going, and we don’t have to wait long now at all.