If you thought La Classicissima couldn’t get any wilder, Tadej Pogačar just rewrote the script.

The World Champion delivered one of the most improbable wins in recent Milan–San Remo history — crashing before the Cipressa, chasing back on, attacking anyway, and then outsprinting Tom Pidcock after blowing the race apart on the Poggio. Wout van Aert rounded out the podium after a late surge from the chasers.

Pogacar attacks on the Poggio

The Build-Up: Cipressa Talk, Wind Worries, and Big Expectations

After the fireworks of 2025, all eyes were once again on the Cipressa. Would Pogačar go early? Would the wind kill the move?

Roll out from the start in Pavia – only 295kms to go.

Race morning seemed to answer that — a headwind on the Cipressa suggested any long-range attack might be doomed before it even started.

Of course… that’s not how this story ended.

Early Chaos and a Traditional Break

The 298 km slog from Pavia to Sanremo got off to a shaky start, with an early break even managing to take a wrong turn at a roundabout — never a great omen.

Eventually, a seven-man move went clear, stretching their advantage past seven minutes as the peloton settled into the long coastal drag toward the capi. Business as usual — until it wasn’t.

The break on its way up the Passo Turchino

Behind, Pogačar’s day took an early hit when teammate Jan Christen crashed out, leaving UAE one card short for the finale.

The Race Ignites: Crashes, Nerves, and the Cipressa Explosion

Inside the final 80 km, the gap began to tumble and tension rose.

INEOS Grenadiers imploded spectacularly with a multi-rider crash that removed most of their firepower — all except Filippo Ganna.

Then came the moment no one expected.

Just before the Cipressa, Pogačar hit the deck.

He took several big names with him — including Van Aert — and suddenly found himself 30 seconds down. Some thought it was game over.   But with Pogačar, it never is.

Cipressa: The Impossible Chase… and Attack

Within minutes, the World Champ clawed his way back to the front — a jaw-dropping effort in itself — and then did the unthinkable:

He attacked anyway.

With 2.2 km to go on the Cipressa, Pogačar lit it up. Only Mathieu van der Poel and Pidcock could respond. The trio quickly opened a gap north of 30 seconds — turning the race on its head.

Poggio Drama: Van der Poel Cracks

Was it over? Not yet.

Relentless work from the chasers — led by Campenaerts and Jorgenson — slashed the gap to just eight seconds at the base of the Poggio.

Then Pogačar went again.

This time, it stuck.

Even more surprising? Van der Poel — so often the master of this climb — cracked under the pressure and was swept up after the summit, his podium hopes gone.

The Finale: Pogačar vs. Pidcock

Only Pidcock could follow over the top.

The pair plunged down the Poggio with a slender advantage, but it was enough. Behind, Van Aert launched a late move to secure third, but the win was up the road.

Inside the final kilometer, it came down to a two-up sprint.

Pogačar vs. Pidcock.

And the World Champion — after crashing, chasing, and attacking — still had just enough left to finish it.

The Takeaway

This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Pogačar didn’t just conquer San Remo. He bent it to his will.

Crash. Chase. Attack. Win.

That’s not how Milan–San Remo is supposed to work. But then again… Pogačar isn’t like everyone else.

Speaking seconds after the finish, the winner of Milano-Sanremo presented by Crédit Agricole Tadej Pogacar said: “When I crashed, for a second I’ve thought it was all over. It happened in Imperia, just before the most important part of the race. It was not ideal. Luckily I was quickly back on the bike. There wasn’t much damage to me and the bike. Then I saw my teammates Florian [Vermeersxh] and Felix [Grossschartner]. They gave everything to bring me back to the front. They gave me hope. With no team, I would have gone straight to Sanremo to watch the finish. Before the Poggio, there was some headwind. It wasn’t ideal like last year. I was a bit afraid of Tom Pidcock. He did an amazing race too and it was very close. We all know he’s punchy and fast. I couldn’t wait too long so I launched the sprint but chapeau to him as well”.

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