Tadej Pogačar has done it again. The UAE Team Emirates XRG star claimed victory at the 117th edition of Milan-San Remo on March 21, conquering the 298-kilometer classic from Milan to the Via Roma in San Remo in commanding fashion. The win adds yet another Monument to the Slovenian’s rapidly growing palmares and cements his status as the dominant force in modern cycling.
The Race That Unfolded
Milan-San Remo is cycling’s longest one-day race, and the 2026 edition followed the traditional route that has defined La Classicissima for generations. The peloton rolled out of Milan at 10:00 AM CET, embarking on a marathon journey along the Italian Riviera that would test both endurance and tactical acumen over nearly seven hours of racing.
As is tradition, the race’s decisive moments came on the two iconic climbs near the finish: the Cipressa and the Poggio. These short but punishing ascents have decided countless editions of Milan-San Remo, and 2026 was no different. The Cipressa served as the first selection point, thinning out the group of contenders, before the Poggio provided the launching pad for the final fireworks.
Pogačar’s team executed a masterful race plan, keeping their leader protected and well-positioned throughout the long approach before unleashing him at precisely the right moment on the Poggio. Once Pogačar accelerated, few could follow, and his descending skills proved equally devastating as he maintained his advantage all the way to the Via Roma.
Pogačar’s Monument Collection Grows
The Milan-San Remo victory continues Pogačar’s assault on cycling’s most prestigious races. The 27-year-old has already proven himself in Grand Tours with multiple Tour de France victories, and his collection of Monument wins is now rivaling some of the all-time greats. His ability to compete at the highest level across vastly different race types, from three-week Grand Tours to one-day Classics, sets him apart from nearly every rider in the current peloton.
Milan-San Remo is historically one of the hardest Monuments for pure climbers to win, as the relatively flat profile tends to favor sprinters or punchy riders who can survive the Poggio and contest a reduced sprint on the Via Roma. Pogačar’s success here underscores his remarkable versatility and his team’s tactical sophistication.
What It Means for the Spring Classics Campaign
With Milan-San Remo in the bag, attention now turns to whether Pogačar will continue his Classics campaign through the cobbled races leading to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, or pivot his focus toward the Grand Tour season. In recent years, the best riders in the world have increasingly attempted to compete across both the Classics and Grand Tours, a grueling double that requires extraordinary physical and mental reserves.
UAE Team Emirates XRG have the depth of roster to support Pogačar across multiple objectives, and the team’s early-season form suggests they are building toward a comprehensive campaign in 2026.
The Bigger Picture: A Season of Superstars
Pogačar’s Milan-San Remo win comes during what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Jonas Vingegaard has already claimed the Paris-Nice GC title, Remco Evenepoel is showing strong form at the Volta a Catalunya, and riders like Tom Pidcock, João Almeida, and Primož Roglič are all firing on all cylinders.
The depth of talent at the top of professional cycling in 2026 is remarkable, and fans are being treated to an early season that promises even greater battles ahead as the calendar progresses toward the Grand Tours. But for now, Milan-San Remo belongs to Pogačar, and the cycling world can only wonder what he’ll conquer next.
