Sanremo, Italy – Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG has claimed victory in the 2026 Milan-San Remo, overcoming a crash and a grueling battle with Tom Pidcock of Pinarello-Q36.5 to secure his first win in the prestigious one-day cycling race. The 298km race, known for its challenging climbs and dramatic finishes, saw Pogačar emerge victorious in a sprint finish on the Via Roma, finally ticking off this Monument from his palmarès after six attempts.
The race unfolded as a captivating contest of endurance and tactical prowess, with Pogačar and Pidcock proving to be the strongest riders on the day. The duo distanced themselves from a strong field, including two-time winner Mathieu van der Poel, early on the Poggio, the penultimate climb of the race. This victory marks a significant achievement for the World Champion, solidifying his position as one of cycling’s elite riders.
Crash and Comeback on the Cipressa
The day wasn’t without its challenges for Pogačar. He suffered a crash just 32km from the finish, adding an unexpected hurdle to his pursuit of victory. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Pogačar managed to rejoin the front of the race and launch his attack on the Cipressa, a key climb known for its potential to disrupt the peloton. Cyclingflash.com details how Pogačar’s attack on the Cipressa set the stage for a thrilling finale.
Van der Poel Fades, Van Aert Secures Third
Mathieu van der Poel, a formidable competitor, faltered on the Poggio, unable to maintain the pace set by Pogačar and Pidcock. The Slovenian and the Briton then battled it out on the descent and into the final sprint. Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike, also recovering from a crash earlier in the race, launched a late attack in the final kilometer to secure third place, finishing four seconds behind the leading duo. Cyclingnews.com reports on Van Aert’s strong finish after his own mid-race incident.
Pogačar Reflects on a Hard-Fought Victory
“Not the most beautiful since I will be licking the wounds. But I’m just really happy to take the win,” Pogačar said after the race, acknowledging the physical toll of the day and the challenges he faced. He also praised Pidcock’s strength, stating, “You never know after such a long race, but I knew one thing – that Tom is a super-fast guy. He looked super good through all the race.” Pogačar admitted his lack of experience in head-to-head sprints, particularly against a competitor like Pidcock.
A Bizarre Edition of Milan-San Remo
The 2026 edition of Milan-San Remo will be remembered as a particularly dramatic race, marked by crashes, attacks, and a thrilling sprint finish. The early breakaway, consisting of Lorenzo Milesi, Manuele Tarozzi, Martin Marcellusi, Manlio Moro, Alexy Faure Prost, Dario Belletta, and Mirco Maestri, gained a significant lead before being reeled in by the peloton as the race approached the decisive climbs. The unpredictable nature of the race, with its crashes and shifting dynamics, made for a captivating spectacle for cycling fans worldwide.
With this victory, Pogačar adds another prestigious Monument to his impressive list of achievements. The win sets the stage for an exciting season ahead, as he continues to compete at the highest level of professional cycling.
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