Tadej Pogacar (UAE) has conquered the Milan-San Remo 2026 in a new show typical of its legendary figure. The Slovenian had to overcome a fall 32 kilometers from the finish, he had to get rid of Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) on the last climb to the Poggio and he had to beat Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) in a very tight sprint at the finish line in San Remo. He did everything to overcome one of his obsessions, achieving the Milan-San Remo, one of the few races that was missing from his record.
It was his great obsession. He hadn’t hidden it. Winning here, where he had been on the podium twice in five appearances, was one of the great goals of the season for an indestructible Pogacar. “With the fall I thought my options were over,” the Slovenian admitted at the finish line, was crowned with visible damage from the blow suffered in one of the key moments of the race. Who could have thought he would get to do it again? Never doubt this cyclist.
But the Slovenian not only managed to quickly recover from a fall in the middle of the pack that also ended with Wout Van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) on the ground. Despite the revolution at the head of the group, Pogacar managed to recover and link up with the head of the race. But how could he settle for that? Pogacar, insatiable, stirred up the race and left with Van der Poel and Pidcock. Only ten kilometers had passed since his fall. The trio achieved a small income, but enough to fight for the final victory already in the lead in the second ascent of the Cipressa and with the Poggio ahead as a memorable judge of the ‘Classicissima’.
Van der Poel’s debacle, Pogacar’s high
Van der Poel took over on the last climb to the Poggio and Pogacar sniffed out a weakness that no one had noticed in the Dutch giant. After a relay, Pogacar changed the pace again and unhorsed Van der Poel. Pidcock endured, and he left with the Slovenian in search of an unexpected Monument for him. But there was the Briton, firm and glued to the wheel of the world champion.
He only conceded a trio of timid relays, enough to maintain the lead with those behind and reach the conclusion of the race with options, trusting in his top speed. Behind, after the neutralization of Van der Poel, Van Aert fired his last bullet, but did not have time to hit the leading duo.
Pogacar, with Pidcock fastened to his wheel, faced the Via Roma in San Remo keeping an eye on his rival, calculating what could be the exact moment to achieve success. And he launched. Yet. Pidcock opened up and struggled to pass him. But success was once again for Tadej. The world champion gritted his teeth and won by just a tubular, raising his arms once he crossed the finish line, knowing that he had achieved his goal. There is only one monument left to conquer, Paris Roubaix. The countdown to your new obsession begins.
