Van der Poel, Pogacar... and now Primoz Roglic? Milano-Sanremo reportedly set for surprise superstar addition to startlist
Cycling
Milano-Sanremo has become the playground of the modern superstars, shaped in recent years by the rivalry between Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar. Now a very different kind of headline name could be added to that mix, with reports in Belgium suggesting that Primoz Roglic may line up for La Classicissima in 2026.
The Slovenian is not a natural Milano-Sanremo type. He is a Grand Tour specialist, a rider defined by long climbs and stage race consistency rather than short explosive efforts after 300 kilometres. Yet according to Het Laatste Nieuws, Roglic could be part of the startlist on 21 March, setting up one of the more intriguing tactical questions of the spring.
A late career twist
Roglic will turn 36 during the 2026 season and is entering the final year of his contract with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. Initially it was confirmed that he will ride neither the Giro d'Italia nor the Tour de France this year, instead focusing on a bid for a fifth Vuelta a Espana title in September, after his wins in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024.
His season is due to begin at Tirreno-Adriatico on 9 March, followed by the Itzulia Basque Country from 6 to 11 April. Milano-Sanremo would fit neatly between those two stage races, but it would also represent a rare detour into Monument territory for a rider whose palmares is built almost entirely around stage racing.
Roglic has only raced Milano-Sanremo twice before. He finished 67th on debut in 2017 and improved to 17th in 2022, his best result so far on the Via Roma. He has never finished in the top ten and has never been a central figure in the finale.
What could Roglic realistically do?
That is what makes this possible appearance so interesting. Milano-Sanremo has been shaped in recent seasons by aggression on the Cipressa and Poggio, most notably from Pogacar, even if he has yet to turn those attacks into victory. Van der Poel has twice capitalised, winning in 2023 and 2025, while Jasper Philipsen took the sprint in 2024, giving Alpecin-Premier Tech three straight victories.
Roglic does not fit that mould. He is not a pure sprinter and he is not known for repeated short explosive attacks. If he does start, his role may be less about winning and more about testing himself, supporting a team leader, or using the race as part of his build towards later goals.
But his presence alone would add another layer to the story. A five-time Grand Tour winner on the startline of the longest and most unpredictable Monument immediately changes how rivals and fans read the race. Is he there to help a teammate, to animate the race, or to quietly see how far his engine can carry him in cycling’s most unique one-day test?
Milano-Sanremo has always been a race where unlikely names can survive longer than expected. If the reports from Belgium prove correct, 2026 could see one of the peloton’s great stage race specialists stepping into a spotlight usually reserved for sprinters, puncheurs and superstars of the classics.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- You're right about Kieran Wood, but he keeps reminding us he's the big Deputy Editor-in-Chief !?!? He says his focus is on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. Kieran also says he places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available. So... he's gotta be right in saying Pogi is a four time TDF winner!?!? ... or maybe not!?!? LOL !!!PogiSloFans03-11-2026
- A busy boy!Lozza03-11-2026
- I hope 2027 is his year.mij03-11-2026
- why does he have to? many GT riders from Froome to Contador to Indurain didn't do them.mij03-11-2026
- I think Jonas would have lost the TDF by 4+ minutes (at the least) and might not have even been in the top 3. Too much talent in the younger riders to say anyone not named Pogačar would have been top 3md197503-11-2026
- this is just stupid. you already have 23%, gravel is over the topabstractengineer03-11-2026
- There was once a time when Lance was supremely popular and he used his artificial "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" persona to lead his mob in going after Greg. There was no one Lance did not abuse in protecting his phony hero image. Lance promoted himself as a divine megastar and he let down millions of cancer victims and gullible devotees who clung far too long to the charade. Lance is the epitome of a corrupt person and because of his power, many around him, including business enterprises, succumbed to the evil. All who got in Armstrong's way were mercilessly attacked by him and his minions. This remarkably continues today with a new generation. LeMond was a number one enemy and paid a huge price. Who do you think slandered who?Yepperoni03-11-2026
- You despise him because he calls out the truth....OK clown !frieders303-11-2026
- JV is really slighting himself with not doing the 1 dayers.. 🤷
leedorney02-11-2026 - Watch the interview on youtube. I don't speak French. I do speak English and Spanish and you can hear it in his voice. Years ago LeMond had real personal problems I imagine in no small part because of Armstrong. then Armstrong goes round "full blast" re: LeMond having drinking and drug problems. The same way Andreu was expelled from mainstream cycling so was LeMond. On the positive side the clips of the ride and chatting with old teammates and was good. To seemed like a fun day and experience and good reason brush up his French.atom02-11-2026
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