He dreamed it, chased it, even cursed it – but in the end, he’s done it. Tadej Pogačar has won Milano–Sanremo 2026. In the toughest year, when it seemed over after crashing just before the Cipressa. Instead, the man in the rainbow jersey showed not only that he’s the strongest, but that he’s got the grit of a true fighter. Back on the bike, back in the race — and within a couple of kilometres, already on the attack, tearing the peloton apart just like last year.
Once again, it came down to three: Mathieu van der Poel, also down earlier, and an outstanding Tom Pidcock. But this time, on the Poggio, Van der Poel cracked. Pidcock held firm, stayed glued to Pogačar, and the two flew all the way to the Via Roma.
Milano-Sanremo 2026, Tadej Pogačar wins the Classicissima
A drag race to the line – shoulder to shoulder, wheel to wheel – and this time, by just 4 centimetres, Pogačar takes it. The curse is broken. Another chapter in a legend that’s already well underway.
Six and a half hours earlier, 9 riders had gone clear: Martin Marcellusi, Manuele Tarozzi, Lorenzo Milesi, Manlio Moro, Andrea Peron, David Lozano, Alexy Faure Prost, Dario Igor Belletta and Mirco Maestri, stretching their lead to around 6’30”.
The race unfolded steadily, until crashes began to take their toll – Jan Christen and Michał Kwiatkowski among those forced out. Then came the turning point: a massive crash just before the Cipressa, bringing down almost all the favourites, Pogačar, Van der Poel, Wout van Aert and more.
Chaos — but only briefly. Because as soon as the road tilted upwards, they were all back, even more fired up. With a torn, dirt-stained rainbow jersey, Pogačar didn’t hesitate. Launched by Brandon McNulty and Isaac del Toro, he went again on the Cipressa — and it worked. Despite the slight headwind, only Van der Poel and Pidcock could follow. Over the top, they had more than 30” on the bunch, led by Lidl–Trek and later Visma.
The Aurelia tested them, the gap shrinking to just 9 seconds at the foot of the Poggio. But once the climb began, Pogačar was on another level. His first attack dropped Van der Poel — the most dangerous rival for a sprint finish. Pidcock, though, held on. No risks on the descent, everything left for the sprint. Head-to-head. Wheel-to-wheel. Shoulder-to-shoulder. And Pogačar wins.Behind, Van Aert times it perfectly with a finisseur’s move to take third.
For Pogačar, that’s Monument number 11 — only Eddy Merckx has more, with 19. Just Paris–Roubaix left to complete the full set. And at this rate… it feels like only a matter of time.
Final results
OFFICIAL RESULTS
1 – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) – 298 km in 6h35’49”, average speed xx.xxx km/h
2 – Thomas Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) s.t.
3 – Wout Van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) at 4″
4 – Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) s.t.
5 – Corbin Strong (NSN Cycling Team) s.t.
Speaking seconds after the finish, the winner of Milano-Sanremo presented by Crédit Agricole Tadej Pogacar said: “When I crashed, for a second I’ve thought it was all over. It happened in Imperia, just before the most important part of the race. It was not ideal. Luckily I was quickly back on the bike. There wasn’t much damage to me and the bike. Then I saw my teammates Florian [Vermeersxh] and Felix [Grossschartner]. They gave everything to bring me back to the front. They gave me hope. With no team, I would have gone straight to Sanremo to watch the finish. Before the Poggio, there was some headwind. It wasn’t ideal like last year. I was a bit afraid of Tom Pidcock. He did an amazing race too and it was very close. We all know he’s punchy and fast. I couldn’t wait too long so I launched the sprint but chapeau to him as well”.
