The Milano-Sanremo 2025 cycling race kicked off on March 22, 2025, from Pavia, marking one of the most prestigious events in the cycling calendar known as the Classicissima. This year, the race spans a grueling 289 kilometers to the iconic Via Roma in Sanremo, featuring an outstanding lineup including world champion Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, and Filippo Ganna, among others.
As the race officially began at 10:25 AM local time, anticipation and excitement swelled. Riders immediately faced challenging weather conditions, with rain affecting visibility and grip, particularly in the Po Valley. Notably, the Alpecin Deceuninck team, led by van der Poel, quickly took control of the peloton, aiming to narrow the gap on the early escapees who had initiated a breakaway.
Within the first two hours of action, the escape group consisted of eight riders: Baptiste Veistroffer from Lotto, Mathis Le Berre and Alessandro Verre from Arkea, Filippo Turconi and Martin Marcellusi from VF Bardiani Csf Faizanè, and Team Solution Tech Vini Fantini's Kristian Sbaragli, Mark Stewart, and Tommaso Nencini. These athletes managed to establish a lead of approximately 3'45" over the peloton at around 200 kilometers to go. The race's average speed at this point was an impressive 43 km/h, indicative of the competitive nature of the event.
As the day progressed, weather conditions began to vary sharply. Reports noted that while rain continued to drench the early sections of the race, forecasts predicted clearer skies and warmer temperatures in Liguria. This contrasted with the women's race occurring simultaneously, which enjoyed better weather and a more cohesive peloton, maintaining high speeds averaging 41.1 km/h after their first hour.
With around 246 kilometers remaining, the leaders increased their advantage, showcasing their stamina and tactical acumen. Remarkably, around 215 kilometers left, the escapees found themselves with a narrowed lead of 3'28" over the main pack. As the conditions improved in waves, fans along the roadside witnessed the relentless effort of the competitors.
Remarkably, with the race hitting the halfway mark, a pivotal moment occurred when Christian Sbaragli joined the leaders, bolstering their numbers and re-establishing a solid lead beyond five minutes. "The situation is unchanged: eight riders in the lead, with the peloton now trailing by 3'20" after covering nearly 97 kilometers," reported an on-site source.
As the chase intensified, the riders faced the looming challenge of the Passo del Turchino, the first significant climb that often becomes decisive in dictating the final outcomes of the race. Strategically, the UAE team, ridden by Pogacar, was anticipated to increase the pace in the final kilometers, potentially overwhelming pure sprinters.
Across various media platforms, fans were kept updated with comprehensive coverage of the event. Rai and Eurosport provided live broadcasts starting as early as 9:50 AM, with both platforms set to feature uninterrupted coverage of the race's concluding segments. Further, viewers could tune in to Rai 2 at 10:00 AM and Eurosport 1 at 10:00 AM for complete race updates.
As the escape group approached Savona, they remained vigilant, knowing they needed to maintain their lead through the treacherous descent towards Liguria. The live tracking options allowed fans to stay engaged with GPS updates and coverage on platforms like RaiPlay and Discovery+.
Anticipation built as the race neared its climax. With an estimated arrival time between 16:45 and 17:15, the final moments were sure to provide thrills as the racers tackled the Cipressa and Poggio climbs, crucial points known for dramatically affecting race outcomes.
As reports trickled in during the day, it was evident that the Milano-Sanremo 2025 was not just a test of speed but also of tactical prowess and endurance, with weather playing a vital role throughout. Who would seize victory in this classic that blended historic routes with contemporary challenges? The world of cycling awaited the unveiling of champions as the sun sought to break through the clouds in the Liguria region while the peloton raced onward.
