Today is special for two reasons.
First, because the first Monument of the season takes place, Milano–Sanremo, the longest and most iconic Italian one-day race.
Second, because the race will also revive memories from another era of cycling history.
That memory takes us back in time, deep into the archive of the sport. Why? Because today, on the roads of the Classicissima, we will see Team Polti VisitMalta with a completely different look, as the team had the opportunity to say in a statement on social media before announcing their lineup for the race.
The popular Italian team, usually racing in a green and white jersey with red shorts, will wear a retro kit, entirely yellow with small green details, a clear reference to the legendary teams of the 1990s.
In the past, the team featured great champions such as
Gianni Bugno, Tony Rominger, Laurent Fignon, Ivan Gotti and Mauro Gianetti.
Later, under the Polti name, riders like
Luc Leblanc, Axel Merckx, Richard Virenque and Davide Rebellin also wore these colors, helping the team become one of the most respected squads in the international peloton.
Starting Milano-Sanremo with a kit inspired by the 1990s is more than a visual change.
It is the past meeting the present, the story of a team that shows its love, passion and dedication to the sport.
Those jerseys will certainly shine today.
And the Polti riders, even more than stars like Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Tom Pidcock or Wout van Aert, will want to be at the front of the race, even if only for a few moments.
And honestly, that will be something special to watch.
Team Polti VisitMalta for Milan - Sanremo 2026
| Rider | Country | Notes |
| Davide Bais | Italy | Climber / breakaway rider |
| Dario Belletta | Italy | Young talent |
| Giovanni Lonardi | Italy | Sprinter |
| Mirco Maestri | Italy | Experienced rouleur |
| Fran Muñoz | Spain | All-rounder |
| Andrea Pietrobon | Italy | Aggressive rider / breakaways |
| Gabriele Raccagni | Italy | Young prospect |
Carlos Silva is a writer for CyclingUpToDate.com, where he contributes race reports, interviews, analysis pieces, and live coverage of the international cycling calendar. Holding a degree in Sports from the Jean Piaget Institute, he combines academic knowledge of performance, training, and competition with hands-on journalism experience in professional cycling.
Throughout his career, Carlos has conducted interviews with leading figures in the sport, including Alberto Contador, Joaquim Rodríguez, Óscar Pereiro, João Almeida, Isaac del Toro, Derek Gee, John Degenkolb and Geraint Thomas. These conversations reflect direct engagement with Grand Tour winners, Classics specialists, and emerging talents.
He has provided on-site coverage at major events ranging from the Vuelta a España to the Tour de France, alongside stage races such as Vuelta a Andalucía, Volta ao Algarve, Volta a Portugal and O Gran Camiño. Covering the mythical climbs of the Giro d'Italia remains one of his professional ambitions.
Carlos is responsible for liveblog coverage of all major WorldTour races and beyond, including the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España. His reporting integrates verified data from ProCyclingStats to ensure statistical accuracy, contextual depth, and analytical precision.
A lifelong cycling enthusiast, he approaches storytelling across written, photographic, and video formats with a focus on credibility, tactical insight, and informed race interpretation.
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