The Race to Conquer Milano–Sanremo: Tadej Pogacar's Pursuit Continues
At just 27 years old, Tadej Pogacar's racing career is already a testament to his prowess. But despite his multiple world championships and Tour de France victories, there's one prestigious race that has eluded him: Milano–Sanremo. This iconic Italian Monument, renowned for its challenging climbs like the Cipressa and the Poggio, has proven a formidable hurdle for Pogacar.
The race's relatively gentle parcours often sets up a sprint finish, where riders who survive the climbs can outpace the strong sprinters like Pogacar. This is one of the reasons he hasn't yet claimed the Milano–Sanremo title. According to former winner Vincenzo Nibali, Pogacar must not only rely on his brute strength but also be willing to ride more tactically to secure this Monument victory.
In the last four editions of Milano–Sanremo, Pogacar has consistently finished in the top five, including two third-place results, but has fallen short of victory. In 2025, he attempted to make a difference first on the Poggio and then earlier on the Cipressa, launching a blistering attack after a strong team lead-out. However, both Mathieu van der Poel and Filippo Ganna matched his effort, leaving Pogacar to finish just behind them in the final sprint.
Pogacar isn't giving up, though. He is hoping that 2026 will be his year at Milano–Sanremo. To prepare, he spent Saturday riding a full reconnaissance of the finale, testing himself all-out on the iconic Poggio climb to sharpen every detail ahead of the spring classic. The race will be only the second race of the season for the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader, with Strade Bianche on 7 March kicking off his campaign, followed by the cobbled Classics. Beyond Sanremo, Pogacar also has his sights set on Paris-Roubaix, another Monument yet to grace his palmarès.
Will Pogacar finally conquer Milano–Sanremo in 2026? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: his relentless pursuit of victory continues to captivate and inspire cycling fans worldwide.
