Will Pogacar be helped by tips from record winner Merckx?

The curse of world champion Tadej Pogacar in the traditional spring classic Milan-Sanremo is even worrying cycling legend Eddy Merckx. The "Cannibal", the record winner of "La Classicissima" with seven victories, has even given his heir a few tips on the best time to attack. Will the exceptional rider from Slovenia make use of them?

In any case, Pogacar regularly made a detour to Italy from his home in Monaco during training. He should know the final inside out by now. The Slovenian is said to have raced up the Cipressa, the penultimate climb with an average gradient of 4.2 percent over 5.6 km, in 8:51 minutes during training. That would be another six seconds faster than in the race a year ago.

Two classics still missing for Pogacar

It should finally work out on Saturday. Milan-Sanremo, with its almost 300 km long course, is one of the few races still missing from Pogacar's impressive palmarès. Just like the pavé classic Paris-Roubaix, the 27-year-old's second major goal this spring. Pogacar would even prefer a victory in these cycling monuments to another triumph in the Tour de France.

"I've already won the Tour four times, and whether I win it a fifth time... I think there's a bigger difference between zero and one than between four and five," said Pogacar and emphasized: "Winning Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix would be a highlight in my career. If I ever won those races, I don't think you could achieve much more in your career."

Van der Poel as spoilsport

Fifth, fourth, third, third - Pogacar finds it difficult to come to terms with his strong record over the past four years. He is not obsessed with winning every race, assures Pogacar. Milan-Sanremo, however, is a little different. Classics king Mathieu van der Poel usually stood in his way. The Dutchman won twice on the Via Roma (2023 and 2025) and once navigated his sprinting teammate Jasper Philipsen (2024) to victory.

And Van der Poel is in impressive form again. He has just won two stages at the Tirreno-Adriatico, having also been unbeatable in his season debut on the road at the Omloop Nieuwsblad classic at the end of February. And the eighth world title in cyclo-cross - a record, of course - was a matter of honor. "There's not much left to do," says Van der Poel ahead of the new duel with Pogacar, but he still has hopes of ending the curse. "Last year he was already close. It's only a matter of time before he wins the race."

Pogacar tore a small gap on the Cipressa last year, but Van der Poel fought his way back up. And the 2023 world champion is hard to beat in the sprint. Merckx would only launch the decisive attack on the final climb at the Poggio. "Even if he is capable of long breakaway attempts, the probability of being caught is much higher in Sanremo," Merckx told the "Gazzetta dello Sport".

Crown Prince Del Toro as a noble helper

Whether Cipressa or Poggio - the tactics are clear. His UAE Emirates team will have to set a hellish pace on the climb so that Pogacar can finally deliver the final knockout. Because noble helper Tim Wellens is out due to a broken collarbone, Pogacar's crown prince Isaac del Toro - Giro runner-up after all - will now take over the job. "I'm only riding Milan-Sanremo for Tadej," says the Mexican, who will also be Pogacar's most important helper at the Tour. At some point, he should take over from him.

But that may take some time. According to team boss Mauro Gianetti, Pogacar is "stronger than ever", as he said after his victory in the Strade Bianche gravel race a good two weeks ago. This should pay off in the spring.

Pogacar also wants to contest and win the other big classics - the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège - again. Just like Merckx, who has already emphasized in the past: "He is my heir. He's also a killer on the bike."

Swiss support services

One of Pogacar's teammates at the 117th edition of Milan-Sanremo will be Jan Christen. Van der Poel can also count on a Swiss helper in Team Alpecin-Premier Tech with Silvan Dillier. Mauro Schmid is considered to have the best chance of a top place.

In the women's race, Swiss hopes are pinned on Noemi Rüegg, who finished third last year, beaten only by show jumping queen Lorena Wiebes and Marianne Vos.