Milan-San Remo
La Primavera

Since 1907 the “Primavera” has ushered in the first major classic of each new season. With its place in the third week of March, those riders targeting the classics have already been toughing it out on the frigid plains of Flanders with semi-classics like the Het Volk in Belgium . The “Primavera” is usually run, in stark contrast to the Northern races, with mild early season sun which is greatly appreciated by the frozen peloton. The route from Milan to the finish in San Remo has remained largely unchanged since the early days. Having crossed the Lombardy plains from Milan the race hugs the spectacular Adriatic coast for much of the distance to the famous finish on the ‘Via Roma' in San Remo .

During the 1950's bunch sprints dominated the finish. In an attempt to eliminate this monotony the organisers introduced (in 1960) the now famous ‘Poggio di San Remo' climb which summits just 3kms from the finish. This worked for a while but the pro teams planned for this assault and bunch sprints once again became common. In 1982 the organisers responded by including the ‘Cipressa' climb which is about 20kms away from the finish. Today these two climbs usually witness any winning escapes.

For the Italian riders and the Italian ‘tifosi' the M-SR is just about the most important race in the world. An Italian winner is assured of instant fame and great financial reward. While the Belgians ‘own' the Northern classics, M-SR along with the end-of-season Tour of Lombardy are ‘Italian property'! Over 50% of the M-SR's have been won by Italy. Like the other ‘monuments', the M-SR boasts an honour role that represents the cream of cycling history. From 1946 to 1950 the great rivalry between Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali electrified the race and polarised a nation suffering from severe post-war depravations. Some politicians even suggest that this rivalry managed to divert attention from extremely serious social conditions which could have bred civil war.

While Italy may perceive the M-SR as their own, it is a Belgian that claims the most victories: Eddy Merckx with an astounding 7 wins. However Italy 's first great “Campionissimo”, Costante Girardengo, flies the flag with 6 wins to his credit.

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