Pogacar Conquers Milan-San Remo After Dramatic Crash and Comeback
San Remo, Italy – Tadej Pogačar, the reigning world champion, etched his name into the history books Saturday, winning his first Milan-San Remo title in a thrilling sprint finish against Tom Pidcock. The victory, secured after a remarkable recovery from a crash just 32 kilometers from the finish, adds another prestigious Monument to the Slovenian’s already glittering palmarès. Wout Van Aert rounded out the podium, finishing third in the 298-kilometer classic.
The 117th edition of “La Primavera” delivered a race filled with drama and suspense. Pogačar, previously a three-time runner-up in this event, overcame adversity to claim the victory, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. This win marks his fourth triumph in cycling’s five Monuments, leaving only Paris-Roubaix as the missing piece in his collection of one-day racing accolades.
Crash and Resilience Define Pogačar’s Ride
The day took a dramatic turn when Pogačar was involved in a crash with approximately 32 kilometers remaining, alongside several other key contenders including Van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, and Biniam Girmay. The incident, occurring in a left-hand turn as riders positioned themselves for the ascent of the Cipressa, threatened to derail Pogačar’s ambitions. However, demonstrating incredible resilience and aided by his UAE Team Emirates squad, he fought his way back to the peloton, rejoining the front group at the base of the Cipressa.
“When I crashed, for a second I thought it was all over,” Pogačar admitted after the race. “To crash just before the most important part of the race is not ideal. But I was luckily back on the bike and without too much damage to me or the bike, just a little bit.”
A Select Group to the Poggio
Pogačar launched a decisive attack with 24.4 kilometers to move, immediately establishing a formidable pace. Only Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling) and the defending champion, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), were able to respond, forming a leading trio that would contest the race victory. The group navigated the challenging terrain, maintaining a slender advantage over the chasing pack as they approached the Poggio, the final climb of the day.
On the Poggio, Pogačar continued to press the attack, eventually shedding Van der Poel. Pidcock, however, proved to be a tenacious companion, clinging to Pogačar’s wheel despite the relentless pace. The two riders entered the final kilometers together, setting the stage for a head-to-head sprint showdown.
A Photo Finish on Via Roma
The duo raced onto the flat Via Roma, the iconic finishing stretch of Milan-San Remo, neck and neck. Pogačar initiated the sprint, and after a tense and closely contested battle, he edged out Pidcock by a mere half-wheel to claim the victory. The finish was so close that it required a photo finish to confirm Pogačar as the winner.
“I was a bit afraid when he let me go first,” Pogačar said, reflecting on the sprint. “I was waiting as long as I could but I also know that wait too long because he has a better kick than me, probably. In the end it was a really close. Chapeau to him.”
A Growing Legacy
With this victory, Pogačar joins Roger de Vlaeminck in second place on the all-time list of Monument winners, with eleven triumphs. Only the legendary Eddy Merckx, with nineteen wins, remains ahead of him. Pogačar’s ability to excel in both Grand Tours and one-day classics continues to fuel the debate about his place among the greatest cyclists of all time. He has now secured five Grand Tour victories and eleven Monument wins, alongside two world road titles, mirroring Merckx’s achievements and suggesting a similar trajectory.
The win sets up an exciting spring for Pogačar, with the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix looming on the horizon. He will undoubtedly be a favorite in both races as he continues his pursuit of cycling immortality. The Milan-San Remo victory is a testament to his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and the strength of his team.
Milan-San Remo 2026 – Top 10
- 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
Pogačar’s next challenge will come at the Tour of Flanders, scheduled for the end of April. Fans can follow updates and live coverage on the official websites of the UCI and the race organizers. The cycling world now eagerly awaits to see if Pogačar can continue his dominant form and add another Monument to his impressive collection.
