Startlist Milano-Sanremo 2026 | Riders: Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout Van Aert, Tom Pidcock...

The queen of all classics: Milano-Sanremo. The Italian race is the first of the five monuments of the cycling season and is the longest race on the professional road calendar. Every year, it delivers a lot of action and is often termed the closest out of all monuments in the calendar. We take a look at its profile. The race is expected to start and finish at 10:10 and 16:35 CET.

The race first held back in 1907 where the legendary Lucien Petit-Breton won its first edition. The race was destined for success right from the get-go, and has had plenty historical winners in its roads. Alfredo Binda, Gino Bartali, Faustro Coppi, Rik van Looy, Raymond Poulidor, Tom Simpson, Eddy Merckx, Roger de Vlaeminck, Francesco Moser, Laurent Fignon, Claudio Ciappuci, Erik Zabel, Mario Cippolinni, Paolo Bettini, Óscar Freire, Filippo Pozzato...

Every generation has had some of its very best win in Sanremo, increasing the race's prestige to a level that few others can, whilst its route provides the opportunity for open races, and for winners of different specialities. Almost every single name in its modern win list have been some of the very best of their times.. Fabian Cancellara, Mark Cavendish, Alexander Kristoff, John Degenjolb, Arnaud Démare, Michal Kwiatkowski, Vincenzo Nibali, Julian Alaphilippe, Wout van Aert, Japer Stuyven, Matej Mohoric, Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen... Click here to download the startlist!

It truly is a race like no other. In 2025 Mathieu van der Poel won the race following an incredible battle with Tadej Pogacar on the Cipresa and Poggio di Sanremo.

Among the headline acts stands Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, leader of UAE Team Emirates - XRG, who will once more try to conquer a race that has eluded him so far. The Emirati squad’s plan typically involves tightening the screw on the Cipressa to split the group before the Poggio. This time he will have support from riders such as Isaac del Toro and Florian Vermeersch, both capable of playing key roles in the decisive phase.

Lining up against him, as in recent years, will be Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, leader of Alpecin-Premier Tech. The Dutch champion will once again have a very solid block, which also includes Jasper Philipsen, one of the most dangerous sprinters in the bunch if the race finishes in a reduced group and former winner of the race.

Another major name confirmed is Wout van Aert, leader of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The Belgian knows how to win La Classicissima and will be backed by top-tier riders such as Christophe Laporte, Matteo Jorgenson and the young Matthew Brennan, making the Dutch outfit one of the strongest in the field.

Among the contenders is also Italy’s Filippo Ganna, the INEOS Grenadiers leader, who will again try to improve on recent results at his home race. The British team will also line up riders such as Michal Kwiatkowski and Axel Laurance.

The provisional list also includes riders who are highly dangerous in punchy finales or small-group sprints. That is the case for Jonathan Milan, who will lead Lidl - Trek, supported by riders like Soren Kragh Andersen and Mathias Vacek.

Other teams bring intriguing line-ups too. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe will field riders such as Laurence Pithie and Danny van Poppel, while Bahrain - Victorious will lean on the experience of Matej Mohoric, a past winner thanks to his memorable descent of the Poggio.

Also noteworthy are names like Thomas Pidcock with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Paul Magnier at Soudal Quick-Step, and the return of Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe with Tudor Pro Cycling Team.

Among the durable sprinters are Bryan Coquard, Magnus Cort and the veteran John Degenkolb, a former winner who is always dangerous in this kind of finale.