Merckx Advises Pogačar: Attack on the Poggio Key to Milan-San Remo Victory

As Tadej Pogačar prepares for another attempt at winning Milan-San Remo, cycling legend Eddy Merckx has offered tactical advice, urging the Slovenian to attack on the Poggio rather than the Cipressa. The advice comes as Pogačar seeks to break through and claim the one Monument classic that has eluded him.

Merckx: Poggio is the Decisive Climb

Merckx, a seven-time winner of Milan-San Remo, believes the Poggio, the final climb before the finish in San Remo, presents the best opportunity for a successful attack. He argues that the Cipressa, even as longer and steeper, is too far from the finish line to be truly decisive in modern racing. According to Merckx, even if Pogačar were to drop riders on the Cipressa, as he nearly did last year, the dynamics of the race allow for chasers to regroup before the finish. Cycling Magazine reports on this advice.

Lessons from Last Year’s Race

Last year, Pogačar launched an attack on the Cipressa, but was matched by Mathieu van der Poel, ultimately finishing third in the sprint. Merckx suggests repeating this strategy could yield the same result. A headwind on the Cipressa would further diminish the chances of a successful solo move, according to the Belgian champion. MSN Sports highlights this point.

Van der Poel Remains the Biggest Threat

Merckx identifies Mathieu van der Poel as Pogačar’s primary rival, warning that a strong Van der Poel, particularly one arriving in excellent form as demonstrated at Tirreno-Adriatico, will be difficult to beat. He emphasizes that if Pogačar and Van der Poel are together on the Via Roma after 300 kilometers of racing, the Dutchman would likely be the favorite. Cycling Up To Date details this assessment.

UAE Emirates Team Strength

Despite the absence of some key teammates like Jhonatan Narvaez, Jay Vine, and Tim Wellens, UAE Team Emirates still boasts a strong lineup to support Pogačar, including Del Toro, Christen, Vermeersch, and McNulty.

Can Pogačar Finally Conquer La Primavera?

Pogačar has come close to winning Milan-San Remo in recent years, achieving multiple top-five finishes. Merckx believes this year could be his opportunity, but stresses the importance of timing his attack perfectly on the Poggio. The 117th edition of Milano-Sanremo will reveal whether Pogačar can finally add this prestigious Monument to his palmarès.