An Italian rider has not received Milan-San Remo since 2018 and but the tifosi are hoping for a home-race miracle on Saturday from Filippo Ganna, Jonathan Milan or Alberto Bettiol.
Italy has received 51 of the 114 editions of La Classicissima, however the favourites are from different nations this yr, whereas the Italian riders are the outsiders.
‘La speranza è l’ultima a morire’ – ‘Hope springs everlasting’ – because the Italians typically say, as they maintain out for a miracle. They will solely cling to the unpredictability of Milan-San Remo and that 16 completely different riders have received within the final 16 years.
Vincenzo Nibali was the final to listen to the Italian nationwide anthem ring out throughout the By way of Roma after successful in 2018 with an assault excessive of the Poggio.
Ganna is the one Italian within the peloton with a podium place on his palmares after he was in a position to observe Tadej Pogačar’s surge and win the three-rider dash behind Mathieu van der Poel final yr.
The tifosi are hoping Ganna can get better from the chilly that hit him at Tirreno-Adriatico and be a part of the assault on the Poggio once more. If the race someway comes again collectively after the Poggio, maybe Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) can use his energy dash within the By way of Roma.
If Tadej Pogačar and UAE Workforce Emirates blow up the race on the Cipressa and Poggio, maybe Alberto Bettiol (EF Schooling-EasyPost) can go together with him, utilizing the shape he confirmed to win Milano-Torino on Wednesday with a 30 km solo assault.
Final yr Ganna was on very good type. This yr, he has been preventing to catch up after tonsillitis value him nearly a month of coaching in November. He is not going to trip Paris-Roubaix or another cobbled Classics so he can put together for the Giro d’Italia, however his hopes for Milan-San Remo have been derailed by additional sickness.
“I’ve obtained a little bit of flu, a runny nostril and a cough, however I hope it received’t have an effect on my race an excessive amount of,” Ganna stated on Thursday, sounding sick and struggling to remain optimistic.
“I’m hopeful it received’t have an effect on my race an excessive amount of. We’ll struggle to the tip and I’ll do my greatest.”
Jonathan Milan gave Italy their solely WorldTour wins in 2024 at Tirreno-Adriatico. His sprinting energy on the driving end in Giulianova after which his pure pace in San Benedetto del Tronto was spectacular.
He has ridden Milan-San Remo twice however in a domestique position. He’s considered one of 4 potential leaders at Lid-Trek however naturally comes behind Mads Pedersen and 2021 winner Jasper Stuyven within the pecking order.
Milan can solely play a ready recreation and supporting position, within the hope that Pogačar and Van der Poel cancel one another’s assaults and that the race comes again collectively for a big-group dash within the By way of Roma. The final time that occurred was in 2016 when Arnaud Demare received.
“Changing into a Classics hunter is my ambition, my aim. I wish to get there quickly, however I’m additionally sensible. The Classics are races the place expertise counts rather a lot and that’s an element to maintain in account for me. I believe one of the best method is to take the whole lot step-by-step,” Milan stated.
“I anticipate to have the ability to goal to be among the many aspiring winners sooner or later however for this yr, I first wish to show myself, give my all and be an essential a part of the group. Mads is tremendous robust, Jasper is a rider who is aware of the right way to win San Remo, and I’ll be at their aspect able to play one of the best position for the group’s success.”
Bettiol seems to be the one Italian with the shape, well being and management position to have the ability to goal Milan-San Remo. With Neilson Powless out of motion as a result of a knee damage and Ben Healy targeted on the Ardennes Classics, Bettiol is EF Schooling-EasyPost’s best choice.
Bettiol received the Tour of Flanders in 2019 however has struggled with persistent ulcerative colitis and different setbacks. His solo assault on the Glasgow World championships highlighted his expertise and braveness, however he’s unpredictable, describing himself as “the final of the romantic racers” as he tries to tackle Pogačar and Van der Poel.
He wasn’t presupposed to assault alone with 30 km to race at Milano-Torino however went for it anyway and received.
“Profitable Milano-Torino is one factor, successful Milan-San Remo is one thing else,” Bettiol stated, attempting to mood everybody’s enthusiasm, together with his personal.
“It’s nearly unattainable to win when so many nice riders are within the race however I really feel proud to attempt to tackle an ideal rider like Pogačar. He’s the massive favorite for Saturday, however I am going to give my all, as I’m positive Filippo Ganna and Jonathan Milan will.”
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