Unless you’ve been living in a cave without internet access, you’ll know that the cycling season is good and truly under way. For me, though, this is the real start – the beginning of the Classics season, and the longest of them all, Milan-San Remo.
It’s an odd race for me to nail down. Often a sprinter wins it, like Matt Goss or Mark Cavendish; other times it’s a real Classics rider, like Fabian Cancellara or Simon Gerrans. Whoever wins it, though, needs to have the legs after 300 km of racing. I think that is the deciding factor more than anything else. 
The race is usually won on one of the last little climbs along the coast before San Remo, and more specifically on (or on the way down) the Poggio – the last climb – with only 3 km to go once you hit the bottom of the other side. 
My pick (and just about everyone else’s, I imagine) this year is Peter Sagan, who can sprint (just beat both Cavendish and Greipel last week) and also power up short climbs very, very quickly. He is also young and fearless and a joy to watch. Whoever wins La Primavera this year, I know I’ll be there, doing my LSD (Long Slow Distance, you bunch of hippies) ride on the trainer, watching it all.
The Vicious Cycle 
I concur!
Sagan is one of my Favorites as well. Together with Degenkolb and Moser.
Pls ride outside! You are gifted living in an dry and warm area. Up her we battle our way trough 15 cm of snow. If you do dedicated intervalls on the trainer, ok. but LSD outside and then the last hour of San Remo on the Edge of your Sofa!!!!
Carsten, in your honor I’ll try and force myself to ride outside on Saturday 😉
Sagan seems able to do it all. His finish the other day with that 27% climb was epic (and I know how you hate that word, but it fits here). His versatility seems to fit this course.
The only question might be his endurance. 300 km is a long way to race.
Gerry – are you going to do all 7 hrs on the trainer? That would be impressive….and depressing at the same time!
I’m hoping there won’t be 7 hours of racing broadcast!
I’m agree… Peter Sagan gather my respect with his nice performance at Tirreno-Adriatico. I bet for the Slovak too!!!
Gijón en Bicicleta
Carlos, in a few more hours we will know! By the way, I just looked up Gijónj. Looks like you have some great cycling around there. There are some beautiful mountains to the south, if I’m not mistaken.
You’re right… In Asturias are located Lagos de Covagonga and Angliru, climbs that you may know well from La Vuelta. Follow Gijón en Bicicleta’s aim for 30 Days of Biking and you’ll see some other beautiful climbs.
Thanks. The Vuelta last year was my favorite race. I am sure a couple of the stages were down that way. Maybe see you there sometime.
Gerry: whenever you come here around, we’ll ride together, for Sagan’s sake!!!
And maybe we’ll meet this summer when I’ll attempt to ‘assault’ Mont Ventoux
OK, it’s a deal. Let me know when you’re doing your Ventoux climb. I need the training!
Deal!!
I follow your blog.
Quite happy with winning Ciolek ;o)
I’ll bet you are. He played it perfectly. Pretty good result for a team I never even knew existed before a few days ago.