Milano-Sanremo

Milano-Sanremo is renowned as the longest professional one-day race on the calendar, typically spanning nearly 300 kilometers. The route features a largely flat first half, often described as an endurance test, before the decisive challenges emerge in the final 50 kilometers. Key climbs include the Passo del Turchino, followed by the 'Tre Capi' (Capo Mele, Capo Cervo, and Capo Berta), and most notably, the Cipressa and Poggio di Sanremo. The Cipressa (5.6 km at 4.1% average gradient) and the Poggio (3.7 km at 3.7% average gradient), despite their modest statistics, become incredibly selective after over 280km of racing, often determining the outcome. The race demands exceptional endurance, tactical acumen, and often culminates in a thrilling sprint from a reduced peloton or a late solo attack, making it a battleground for both sprinters and puncheurs.