Pogacar Conquers San Remo, Eyes Historic Fifth Monument
San Remo, Italy – Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG has finally claimed victory at Milan-San Remo, cycling’s first Monument of the year, after a thrilling sprint finish against Tom Pidcock of Pinarello-Q36.5 on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The win marks Pogačar’s fourth career Monument victory, leaving only Paris-Roubaix standing between him and a complete set of the five prestigious one-day races.
The 298km race, known for its unpredictable nature and challenging final climbs, saw Pogačar and Pidcock emerge as the strongest contenders after a decisive move on the Poggio, the penultimate climb. The duo distanced themselves from a select group, including two-time winner Mathieu van der Poel, setting the stage for a head-to-head battle on the descent and the flat run to the finish line in San Remo.
A Race Marked by Resilience
Pogačar’s victory wasn’t without adversity. The World Champion crashed earlier in the race, approximately 32km from the finish, forcing a bike change and adding another layer of drama to an already demanding event. Despite the setback, he demonstrated remarkable resilience, battling back to contention and ultimately proving too strong for Pidcock in the sprint.
“Not the most beautiful because I will be licking the wounds,” Pogačar said after the race, as reported by Cyclingnews. “But I’m just really happy to take the win.” He acknowledged Pidcock’s strength, adding, “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.”
Pidcock Pushes Pogačar to the Limit
Tom Pidcock, fresh off an impressive victory at Milan-Turin, proved a formidable opponent, sticking with Pogačar throughout the final kilometers. The Briton’s strong climbing and descending skills allowed him to stay on level terms with the Slovenian, but Pogačar’s superior sprint speed ultimately secured him the win.
Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike rounded out the podium, finishing four seconds behind the leading duo. Van Aert launched a late attack from the peloton, showcasing his own strength and determination, but couldn’t quite close the gap to Pogačar and Pidcock.
The Final Kilometers: A Duel on the Via Roma
The decisive moment came in the final meters on the Via Roma, San Remo’s iconic finishing stretch. Pogačar, anticipating Pidcock’s strong sprint, launched his attack early, digging deep to create a small gap. He held off Pidcock’s challenge, crossing the finish line first in a time of 6 hours, 35 minutes, and 49 seconds.
The result marks a significant milestone in Pogačar’s career. Milan-San Remo had long been considered the one Monument that eluded him, and securing the victory solidifies his status as one of the sport’s most dominant riders. For context, this is the first time since 2021 that a rider from Alpecin-Premier Tech is not on the Milan-San Remo podium, according to live race updates from Cyclingnews.
What’s Next for Pogačar?
With Milan-San Remo now in his palmarès, Pogačar’s focus will undoubtedly turn to Paris-Roubaix, the “Hell of the North.” The notoriously challenging race, known for its cobblestone sectors and grueling terrain, represents the final hurdle in Pogačar’s quest to complete the set of five Monuments. Paris-Roubaix is scheduled for April 12, 2026, and will test Pogačar’s versatility and endurance to the limit.
The top ten finishers at Milan-San Remo 2026 were:
- 1. Tadej Pogačar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates-XRG 6:35’49”
- 2. Tom Pidcock (GBR) Pinarello-Q36.5 S.T.
- 3. Wout Van Aert (BEL) Visma-Lease a Bike +4″
- 4. Mads Pedersen (DEN) Lidl-Trek
- 5. Corbin Strong (NZL) NSN
- 6. Andrea Vendrame (ITA) Jayco-AlUla
- 7. Jasper Stuyven (BEL) Soudal-QuickStep
- 8. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Premier Tech
- 9. Matteo Trentin (ITA) Tudor
- 10. Edoardo Zambanini (ITA) Bahrain Victorious
The cycling world now eagerly awaits Pogačar’s attempt to conquer Paris-Roubaix and cement his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. The race promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with Pogačar facing a formidable field of competitors and the unique challenges of the cobblestone roads.
