We don't need to do much to introduce this race, Milano - San Remo, La Classicissima, and its nearly three hundred kilometer trip to the Mediterranean coast. The sprinter's classic has been that for much of it's time in the MG and several recent winners are back in the field ready for today.
290 km
Only a few kilometers in and many still to go, but our first attack comes from Groselj and Rodriguez.
287 km
Watson wants to join the pair out front as well and makes his move away from the peloton.
285 km
Two more leave the field, Tratnik and Lane will make it two for Bennelong.
281 km
Our final breakaway rider of the day will be Plucinski. As those who attacked early were rewarded and no further attempts to ride almost 300 km ahead of the peloton would be made.
267 km
We get our six riders all together and working nicely as they stretch a lead up to about six minutes ahead of the peloton.
Tratnik
Rodriguez
Groselj
Plucinski
Lane
Watson
258 km
We see a quick who's who of the sprinters, all safe near the front with a man to help.
Polnicky
Van Niekerk
Trondsen
Robov
Riesebeek
Bewley
Coquard
Swift
Ewan
Van Stayen
Kulimbetov
Cavagna
Sbaragli
Roosen
Kristoff
Demare
Groenewegen
Grosu
250 km
A good shot of our current world champion Marko Kump in his Isostar jersey and bright green bike.
242 km
Several teams sharing the work at the front as we work our way down to the coast. Though none showing any urgency to close down the 6'28" advantage of the break.
190 km
Our breakaway rides through the town of Novi Liguire a little more than halfway south the the coast, but still only 100km into the race. The advantage shrinking to 5'32".
167 km
The peloton comes through Ovada and starts its way uphill to Passo del Turchino. Many teams still helping with the work and the advantage down to 4'24".
134 km
A Mediterranean breeze will now be on the breakaway as they have reached the coastline and begin the second half of the race to San Remo. Their lead holding at 4'20".
120 km
The climb of La Manie won't decide the race, but a few riders are having to come out of the saddle to maintain the pace as the breakaway's lead falls to 3'41".
80 km
As we move towards the capi the situation for the top riders stays the same. All of the major sprinters are still very near the front and have a teammate to protect them. The peloton still fully together with 186 riders.
52 km
Capo Mele finally arrives as the start of the climbs that lead to the finish at San Remo. The breakaway just holds on to a lead of just over one minute.
47 km
The first move of the day comes out of the breakaway as Rodriguez makes a move over Capo Berta!
45 km
Over the top, it's Tratnik who is able to get to his wheel, putting in 16" over their former companions.
31 km
We finish the capi and the peloton is starting to really speed up as they close the gap to the breakaway. Riesebeek leads us out of this corner at over 50km/h.
26 km
Cipressa, the biggest of the climbs near the finish, and the end of our breakaway who gave a lot of effort for just over 250 kilometers today.
23 km
Fireworks over the top! It's Simone Ponzi and coming fast round the peloton is Edvald Boasson Hagen.
21.5 km
They head down the back with about half a minute on the peloton which is still working to get organized.
15 km
A massive dig from Reimer has pulled the field back… well what is left of the field which is now down to 58. All the big names still accounted for in this group.
12 km
I found a mistake with my preview! There is one other group of riders who needed mentioned; the Fighters. In the gap between Cipressa and Poggio we see a few of the hard men make their move along with Boasson Hagen again.
Kneisky
Stoltz
Hagen
Ji
8.5 km
Starting up the Poggio it is Boasson Hagen who leads our attackers with the peloton 30" behind.
8 km
The abilities of the attackers becomes appearent quickly though as a the man arguably considered the best punchuer in the peloton decides to go solo.
6 km
Boasson Hagen has just the decent of the Poggio and a few flat kilometers to the finish in the now visible San Remo!
5 km
The remaining trio still holds an ever so slight advantage over the peloton after the top of Poggio! The current situation:
Boasson Hagen
+50"
Kneisky
Ji
Stoltz
+1'07"
Peloton
None of the big name sprinters have fallen off the pace over the Poggio and in no specific order these guys are all still here!
Bewley
Van Stayen
Swift
Ewan
Kristoff
Demare
Groenewegen
Van der Sande
Coquard
Kump
Grosu
Van der Lijke
1 km
There is only one man under the red kite! Boasson Hagen holds his lead over the fast coming sprinters in the peloton.
800 m
Realzing the danger out front, Bewley opens up the sprint from a long way out. Swift, Ponzi, Ewan and Coquard next behind him.
fin
Jersey all zipped up, time to give the sponsors some love as Boasson Hagen wins Milano - San Remo in solo fashion after his attack on the Poggio.
500 m
Minor placings are still valuable in a monument. The sprint behind is unfolding with the riders in this order.
Bewley
Ponzi
Ewan
Swift
Grosu
Van Stayen
Demare
Groenewegen
Kump
Coquard
Van der Sande
Van der Lijke
250 m
Bewley starts to pay the price for starting too far out, as the group bunches up to the line.
Ewan
Grosu
Swift
Bewley
Ponzi
Van Stayen
Groenewegen
Demare
Kump
fin
A terrific last push from Groenewegen to take 2nd. Demare moves up for 3rd for the final podium spot.
4th, 5th and 6th are all decided by less than a wheel length with Grosu just beating out Kump and Ewan.
The top 10 is rounded out by Swift, Van Stayen, Van der Lijke and Ponzi. Bewley crosses in 12th.
