MARTINSICURO, ITALY - MARCH 12: Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin-Premier Tech celebrates at podium as stage winner during the 61st Tirreno-Adriatico 2026, Stage 4 a 213km stage from Tagliacozzo to Martinsicuro / #UCIWT / on March 12, 2026 in Martinsicuro, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Italy isn’t just renowned for its pasta and coffee; it also offers a crucial pathway for cyclists aiming to peak at Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics. Despite a packed early-season calendar, Tirreno-Adriatico remains a preferred choice for riders, providing a more favorable climate compared to the often tumultuous weather of Paris-Nice. This year, the latter was once again plagued by adverse conditions, prompting many Classics riders to opt for the Italian race as a safer preparation ground.
The racing at Tirreno-Adriatico tends to be less intense, offering one-day specialists a gentler ramp to peak form. Consequently, it has become a key indicator for how Milan-San Remo might unfold. This year, three of the four main favorites for the Milan-San Remo chose to compete in Italy, seeking what Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) described as “race hardness.”
Key Contenders and Their Strategies
While several top contenders for La Classicissima were present at Tirreno-Adriatico, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) opted for a different approach. He stayed at home, adhering to a unique Spring Classics plan stretching over the next six weekends, culminating in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Meanwhile, his chief rival, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), chose Tirreno for a week of intense racing, which appeared to fine-tune his form perfectly.
Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) also focused on honing his form and tactics, winning the time trial but avoiding the general classification chase that had previously exhausted him. There were initial doubts about Van Aert’s form due to injuries from the cyclocross season. Despite suffering throughout Tirreno-Adriatico, he left for Belgium with rising confidence after a week of tactical errors and physical strain.
“You can’t simulate this work in training,” Van Aert remarked, emphasizing the unique benefits of racing over training.
Mathieu van der Poel’s Exceptional Form
Flemish newspaper Nieuwsblad awarded Mathieu van der Poel an exaggerated 11 out of 10 for his performance at Tirreno-Adriatico, highlighting his superb form. The Dutchman was outstanding, instilling fear in his rivals, including Pogačar, who was likely watching from home. Van der Poel’s victories showcased his readiness for the upcoming Monuments, starting with Milan-San Remo.
“We saw what form Mathieu is in. With a scenario like last year [in Milan-San Remo], it is really difficult for 99% of the peloton to aim for the top prize,” Dries De Bondt (Jayco-AlUla) told Sporza.
Van der Poel’s relaxed demeanor at stage starts and his strategic fitness work throughout the stages in Italy were notable. His victories in San Gimignano and Martinsicuro demonstrated his dominance and readiness for a potential Milan-San Remo sprint.
Challenges for UAE Team Emirates
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad celebrated Isaac del Toro’s overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico, but now faces a selection dilemma for Milan-San Remo. Del Toro, having achieved a significant career milestone, must now shift focus to supporting Pogačar in the upcoming race. This will be Del Toro’s third Milan-San Remo, and he must step up to fill the void left by injured teammates Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narváez.
The final lineup remains unconfirmed due to injuries and fatigue, presenting a challenge for sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez. Florian Vermeersch is expected to play a crucial role alongside Del Toro, while Benoît Cosnefroy could initiate an early surge on the Cipressa. However, the team lacks several strong support options, increasing the pressure on Pogačar.
Emerging Contenders
The 2025 Milan-San Remo was a three-rider battle, with Pogačar, Van der Poel, and Ganna sprinting up the Via Roma together. This year, with potential rain and a tailwind along the coast, the race could be more open. Wout van Aert, supported by Matteo Jorgenson and Christophe Laporte, seems poised to join the fray on the Cipressa.
Giulio Pellizzari, third overall in Tirreno, will lead Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe at the Giro d’Italia but has the physique and passion for Milan-San Remo. Despite an Achilles tendon issue at Tirreno-Adriatico, Pellizzari remains a dark horse if the race explodes on the Cipressa.
Paris-Nice: A Less Popular Route
Few riders now use Paris-Nice to prepare for the first Monument of the season, with most contenders opting for Italy. The last Milan-San Remo winner from Paris-Nice was Jasper Stuyven in 2021. Matej Mohorič, who didn’t race either stage event before his 2022 victory, relied on his innovative dropper seatpost for success.
Most riders prefer Tirreno-Adriatico for its better weather, fast racing, and adaptation to Italian road layouts. This year, the race avoided mountain top finishes, focusing on hilly stages to prepare riders for the 298km Milan-San Remo.
While Biniam Girmay (NSN) and Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost) were notable outsiders at Paris-Nice, they wisely chose not to finish stage 8. Meanwhile, Tom Pidcock and Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5) followed a unique path, training in Chile at altitude, skipping both major stage races.
Modern cycling has evolved, with big-name riders no longer staying in Italy post-Tirreno-Adriatico. Few major teams will participate in Milano-Torino, with many riders opting for safer training routes at home.
As the cycling world anticipates the first Monument of 2026, all eyes are on the contenders as they finalize preparations for Milan-San Remo. The race promises to be a thrilling showdown, with strategies and form honed over weeks of intense competition.
