The prestigious Milan-San Remo races are set to make headlines on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with both men's and women’s competitions ready to showcase the best of cycling talent. This year marks a historical moment as the women's race returns after a twenty-year absence, adding to the excitement surrounding one of the oldest events on the cycling calendar.
Defending champion Jasper Philipsen leads the men's field, with fans eager to see if he can retain his title amid a competitive lineup. The start lists have been revealed, and they highlight not just individual talent but also elaborate team strategies that could influence the race's outcome. Top favorite Tadej Pogacar will have a formidable support team, including Jhonatan Narváez, Tim Wellens, Nils Politt, and Domen Novak, to help him navigate the challenging terrain of the race. However, complications arose when Brandon McNulty, originally part of Pogacar's crew, fell ill during the Paris-Nice event. McNulty could potentially be replaced by Isaac del Toro, injecting unpredictability into Pogacar's support structure.
Other top teams like Alpecin-Deceuninck are poised for contention, featuring riders like Mathieu van der Poel and fast sprinter Jasper Philipsen, accompanied by Kaden Groves and Gianni Vermeersch. Their strategies will seek to capitalize on the race's flat and hilly sections, making for thrilling competition against rivals such as Mads Pedersen and Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek, who will be supported by former winner Jasper Stuyven.
Meanwhile, Groupama-FDJ has made headlines for shaking up its roster by removing solid classics specialist Stefan Küng and baroudeur Rémi Cavagna in favor of younger prospects Thibaud Gruel and Clément Russo. This decision comes as a gamble — Romain Grégoire and Lewis Askey, bringing impressive recent performances, may well bring unexpected results given the challenging course profile.
Notably, team Visma | Lease a Bike will count on Olav Kooij as their leading contender, as reigning superstar Wout van Aert is currently in altitude training in Tenerife. Also absent from the lineup due to health issues is Christophe Laporte, which adds another layer of intrigue to the team’s race strategy.
On another front, the women’s race is already generating considerable excitement, with the first edition premiering on the same day as the men’s competition. The start list features world champion Lotte Kopecky, who will make her season debut for SD Worx-Protime, teaming up with fast rider Lorena Wiebes. However, they face strong competition from other talented cyclists, including Demi Vollering and Marianne Vos, who have both consistently performed at high levels throughout the season.
The anticipation grows as the event draws nearer, with cycling enthusiasts itching to see who will make history as the first winner of the Milan-San Remo women’s race. The stakes are high as the athletes prepare to race through picturesque, yet demanding landscapes — cycling's true test will unfold.
The women's race is scheduled to start at 14:30, offering a fitting spectacle to complement the men’s field. Many believe this race could set the tone for the future of women's cycling, in light of its newly awarded Monument status, a significant acknowledgment that amplifies the history and prestige of Milan-San Remo.
With both races featuring a mix of seasoned champions and promising newcomers, Saturday's event promises to be unforgettable. Fans will not only be treated to seasoned professional performances but will also witness a significant milestone in the evolution of women's cycling. As the clock ticks down to race day, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Milan as these elite athletes prepare to leave their mark in the history books.
