A Closer Look: Milano-Sanremo. Monumental battle expected in the streets of Sanremo

Milano-Sanremo takes place in the 19th of March and will be the first monument of the season. Being the longest race of the season, this year with 293 kilometers on the menu, it has gained the reputation of being one of the hardest races in professional cycling to win.

The distance is effectively the main feature of the race, making it a different challenge in endurance compared to a normal race. From the heart of the Po valley in Milano into the rugged Ligurian coast where it will develop after descending the Passo del Turchino. The riders will face the Tre Capi, followed by the Cipressa (22.5Km to go) and the Poggio (6Km to go) where the race's attacks are expected.

The Poggio is only a small hilltop but it's usually raced at full-speed from the base. It suits the puncheurs, but the gradients also mean that rouleurs can usually get over them quite well, it antecedes a technical descent that leaves the riders with two kilometers to go and in sight of the line almost, where chaos usually thrives and late attacks can succeed. If not, a sprint is an equally as likely scenario to decide the win, either with a reduced peloton or a small group.

The race will see some climbers and puncheurs who are likely to attack the race and hope for a tough finale like Benoît Cosnefroy, Michael Matthews, Michal Kwiatkowski, Tom Pidcock, Ethan Hayter, Mathieu van der Poel, Max Schachmann, Wout van Aert, Primoz Roglic, Tadej Pogacar and Alessandro Covi.

On the other side, as this is the "sprinter's monument", their presence is also heavy, with names such as Phil Bauhaus, Giacomo Nizzolo, Mads Pedersen, Jasper Philipsen, Alexander Kristoff, Ethan Hayter, Fabio Jakobsen, Arnaud Démare, Bryan Coquard, Alex Aranburu, Nacer Bouhanni and Peter Sagan.

Additionally you also have some rouleurs and classics riders who can, like last year, succeed with a late attack, with Greg van Avermaet, Soren Kragh Andersen, Matej Mohoric, Zdenek Stybar and Anthony Turgis as names to take into attention, making for a very interesting mix of possible winners.

You will be able to keep up with the race here on CyclingUpToDate as we bring you the race report and interviews surrounding Milano-Sanremo.