Tadej Pogačar has done it again. The Slovenian phenomenon added Milan-San Remo to his rapidly expanding Monument collection on March 21, edging Tom Pidcock in a dramatic two-up sprint on the Via Roma after a race defined by crashes, chaos, and the kind of relentless attacking that has become his signature. It was Pogačar’s fourth different Monument victory and his eleventh Monument win overall — tying Roger De Vlaeminck for the second-most in cycling history.
How the Race Unfolded
The 117th edition of La Primavera lived up to its reputation as one of cycling’s most unpredictable races. Pogačar’s day nearly ended 33 kilometers from the finish when he was brought down in a crash, falling to the back of the peloton just as the race was entering its decisive phase on the Cipressa climb.
What happened next was vintage Pogačar. Rather than accepting his misfortune and riding for a reduced result, the world champion launched a furious chase to rejoin the front of the race. He made contact at the base of the Cipressa and, incredibly, attacked with 24.4 kilometers still to go — a move that would be considered reckless by almost any other rider but has become routine for Pogačar.
The acceleration shattered the group. Only Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel could follow initially, but another surge by Pogačar on the Poggio saw Van der Poel crack, leaving just the world champion and the Olympic mountain bike champion to contest the sprint on the Via Roma. Pogačar prevailed by half a wheel length in a photo finish that will be replayed for years.
The final podium read: Pogačar first in 6:35:49, Pidcock at the same time, and Wout van Aert third at four seconds — a who’s who of modern cycling’s most versatile talents.
The Numbers Behind the Win
The raw data from Pogačar’s performance is staggering. According to BikeRadar’s analysis, the race was conducted at an average speed of 45.5 km/h — blistering for a 290-kilometer race. Pogačar’s estimated functional threshold power (FTP) for the effort was 415 watts, a number that underscores the physiological gulf between him and all but a handful of his peers.
For riders following structured training programs built around zone 2 work, Pogačar’s performance offers both inspiration and perspective. His ability to recover from a crash, chase back to the front, and then attack repeatedly over the final 25 kilometers speaks to an aerobic engine that is the product of years of systematic base building combined with extraordinary natural talent.
What It Means for the Spring Classics
Pogačar’s Milan-San Remo victory sends a clear message to the peloton heading into the cobbled Classics: he is the man to beat at everything. With the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix looming, the power rankings for the remaining Spring Classics may need rewriting.
San Remo was long considered the one Monument that didn’t suit Pogačar’s explosive climbing style. It’s a sprinter’s race, the thinking went, or at best a race for punchy all-rounders who can survive the Poggio and sprint. That Pogačar has now won it — by attacking from 24 kilometers out, no less — suggests there may be no race format he can’t dominate.
For Van Aert and Van der Poel, the result is a mixed bag. Both featured prominently but were ultimately outgunned. Van der Poel, who looked strong on the Cipressa, couldn’t match Pogačar’s second acceleration on the Poggio. Van Aert, still building form after his late-season start, produced a gutsy ride to the podium but lacked the explosive kick needed to contest the sprint.
Pidcock’s second place, meanwhile, was remarkable. The Briton’s ability to match Pogačar stride for stride over the Poggio and push him to a photo finish confirms his status as one of cycling’s most complete talents — a point that makes his subsequent crash at the Volta a Catalunya all the more unfortunate.
Historical Context
With this victory, Pogačar has now won eleven Monuments in his career, tying De Vlaeminck’s legendary tally. Only Eddy Merckx, with 19 Monument victories, sits ahead of him. At just 27, Pogačar has realistic prospects of catching — and potentially surpassing — the Cannibal’s record, a thought that would have seemed absurd even five years ago.
More significantly, Pogačar has now won four of the five Monuments: Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Il Lombardia, the Tour of Flanders, and Milan-San Remo. Only Paris-Roubaix remains unconquered. Given his trajectory and the way the latest generation of racing bikes handle cobblestones, it would be unwise to bet against him adding the Hell of the North to his collection.
What Amateur Cyclists Can Learn
While few of us will ever produce 415-watt FTPs or sprint at 70 km/h on the Via Roma, Pogačar’s approach to racing offers lessons that apply at every level. His willingness to attack from distance rewards riders who build deep aerobic fitness rather than relying solely on short-burst power. His composure after crashing — regrouping, chasing back, and then immediately going on the offensive — demonstrates the mental resilience that separates good athletes from great ones.
Key Takeaways
Pogačar’s Milan-San Remo victory confirms his status as cycling’s most dominant force in a generation. Crashing with 33 km to go and still winning after attacking from 24 km out is the kind of performance that rewrites what’s considered possible. With Flanders and Roubaix next on the calendar, the peloton has been warned: there is no race format, no distance, and no disaster that can stop the Slovenian when he’s in this kind of form.
