Who Will Win Milan-San Remo 2024 | The Big GCN Racing Preview Show!

The first monument of 2024 is finally here! The cycling season is well underway but Milan-San Remo is the first chance of the year to claim one of pro cycling's biggest prizes. Dan & Si are here with the route, the favourites, and their predictions for the win!
Welcome 0:00
2023 Milan-San Remo Recap 0:22
2024 Milan-San Remo Route 1:58
GCN Tees 8:20
Mattieu van der Poel 8:56
Tadej Pogačar 10:38
Mads Pedersen 13:10
Christophe Laporte 14:10
Filippo Ganna 14:39
Tom Pidcock 15:10
Matej Mohorič 15:30
Best of the rest 16:06
Predictions 19:15
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[@gcnracing]

🤔Who is your predicted winner of the 2024 edition of Milan-San Remo? Let us know 👇 🇮🇹 Stay up to the minute with everything from La Classicissima on the GCN website www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/racing

[@alinapopescu872]

Tommy or Matej. I hope. My heart hopes. One of them.

[@Mike-rm1lb]

15 man group sprint. Kooij.

[@phillippitts6294]

Does it really matter? Probably MVDP or Tadej

[@JSC131]

Saronni again!.

[@ds6914]

Normally Si and Dan have fantastic hair... but today, two terrible barnets. What gives GCN?

[@julianallen515]

Drones! We need drones to bring us the descent from the poggio. They could put one on each solo rider/group.

[@carlfrancis8565]

Here here! DITTO!

[@warm_cup_of_battery_acid3672]

I was thinking the exact same thing😅

[@colinlittlewood9613]

Absolutely, some of the drone footage in CX races this Winter was incredible

[@gcnracing]

Oooo that would be cool wouldn't it!

[@francescomancetti8327]

yeah that'd be so cool. I hate to say it though but my country really sucks on TV coverage, I can see that happening on roubaix or flanders, but in italy sadly i don't think so

[@Katcycle]

This is the first race preview show I've ever watched - I'm really only just getting into watching racing, mainly since the TdF last year! Anyway, I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the show, and it's really got me looking forward to the race with mega anticipation. And I feel like now I'll have at least half a chance of knowing what's going on! Thank you both for all your insights.

[@AlessioPunzi]

Welcome back Kate!

[@gcnracing]

This is super cool to hear! That's what GCN Racing is all about 🙌 We hope you enjoy the race! Check back in and let us know what you think!

[@daniellloyd100]

Thanks Kat!

[@seansims8805]

Takes time for sure but the content these days helps as you mentioned .

[@Katcycle]

@@gcnracing Well, having recorded the whole race, so I could watch every minute, I realised that Si was right! I could have tuned in for just the last half hour!!! 😂 No actually, I really enjoyed the race, the coverage was great, the end was exciting, and the winner unexpected. What better way to spend 6.5 hours on a Saturday! 🤩

[@hufemeve]

The lure of Milan San Remo is its unpredictability

[@gcnracing]

Is it for the sprinters is it for the climbers! 😵‍💫

[@matsDK03]

My heart says Mads P. and I listen to my heart!🇩🇰

[@gcnracing]

Big call! Can we stay with Pog or MVDP on the climbs?

[@dinispereira_]

@@gcnracing I think you definitely can't :) Mads maybe has a chance

[@newttella1043]

Why wonder where Tadej will light it up? Just ask him.

[@gcnracing]

So true! He's got a habit of that 😆

[@petrsames6503]

Agree with Simon. Pogi team has to go as hard as possible on Cipressa.

[@terry.hudson]

The spring classics are like a new school term, so Dan and Si have been taken for haircuts and new uniform 😄

[@gcnracing]

You should see their book bags too 🤓

[@prestachuck2867]

I’ll say it again, the UCI really ought to form a committee to regulate Dan’s hair. 😊

[@blahblah24304]

Talking about these races is making me miss the GCN app all the more!!😢

[@stiginshanghai]

I love watching bicycle races coz of the scenery they pass. I especially love seing small villages, small roads, in southern europe which looks top different from where I am from (Denmark). It makes me feel like a tourist, and makes me wanna go visit some of those places. I feel that is a gem in watching bicycling that you dont get from football or most other sports. So even though most of the race tomorrow probably will be boring I will be tuned in on and off from the start to enjoy it.

[@unknown23hornet22]

drones would be perfect for tv coverage of the poggio descent. closer action without interfering with the riders.

[@gcnracing]

That would look great! Imagine the views we would get 👀

[@mc48197]

@@gcnracing Drones were SPECTACULAR in the '23 CX worlds (I didn't see '24). Problem might end up being the range of controllers on the road vs the relatively small range for a CX course.

[@derekkuhl]

I could not agree more! Drones could really enhance cycling coverage.

[@enzosmal7204]

My mind and heart says Mvdp🔥

[@gcnracing]

He'll be a tough rider to beat! 🥵 Can Pog do it?

[@Lion-wd1px]

hope so

[@edwardjanssen4562]

Allow drone footage! It has been a great addition to the CX season and would allow for those fantastic up close pictures

[@bethrenaud6881]

Pogi!

[@_moda-moda_]

16:11 Fyi, De Lie is not doing Milan - San Remo. (Source: Belgian newspaper this morning. They said the crash was a knock to his mental)

[@gcnracing]

That's a shame, but I half expected it. Thanks for letting us know. Dan

[@grantboydell1933]

I hope the cameras (producers?) don't make the mistake of panning/switching to the second group on the road up the Poggio. In 2023, we missed the moment MVDP launched his attack and he was away before the cameras came back to him!!!

[@markbooth6745]

Can't wait to watch it. 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹❤😃👍

[@dazcarney]

Looking forward to this

[@tim9s]

Looking forward to your recap of the race.

[@gcnracing]

Watch this space!

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Si, please put up a camera when you tune in. We want to see your face when Pog is 12 minutes ahead with 30min to go.

[@gcnracing]

We all want to see that!

[@jpslaym0936]

My Fav as well. It’s most gorgeous classic by a mile if you get chance to watch coastal section. I predict that Pogacar will go on Cipressa after being led out by his team which would make a historic win and motivate riders to chase

[@gcnracing]

That would make some great riding 🙌

[@francisyuweh706]

rooting for Pogi, hope he win this race

[@andrewgturnbull]

Drones would be perfect for filming the Poggio descent. The uci have allowed them in cx and xco, so why not in limited, controlled places elsewhere?

[@gcnracing]

That would be super cool!

[@chrisridesbicycles]

I would love a sprint. Just to see 3 big sprinters on that tiny sofa.

[@gcnracing]

😆What other reason do you need!

[@laurentpedroza4116]

congrats again for this excellent analysis! I really enjoyed it ;-) Winner Pogacar second Pedersen third Ganna

[@gcnracing]

Interesting! Does that mean a early attack from Pog and a sprint from the rest?

[@dankochanek8056]

I'm going with a pink jersey.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Stylish haircuts, fellas! Looking good and ready for spring!

[@maximusmaximus69]

3:07 Did you get a two for one?

[@gcnracing]

Both went for the aero trim 💇

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

😂👍

[@hanzzz2303]

I'm going to start watching at 60km, because I reckon it'll explode there. It'll be some race this year.

[@russellmoore1533]

At least they mentioned the winner, Phillipsen

[@JonCannings]

People complain about it being a long and quite boring race. Personally I love it. I prefer it to the Tour of Lombardy

[@SY-ve5qm]

Looking forward to watch MVDP in denim rainbow!!

[@gcnracing]

Oooo yes please!

[@thebeast2025ify]

Démare won it eight years ago, Alexander Kristoff won it 10 years ago😉

[@alexbonzi]

Was watching mi-to today: further evidence of diminished relevance of the ‘pure sprinter’ rider-type as a race winning option; certainly for one day races. What’s more, the fewer races they win, the smaller the incentive for teams to commit resources to the type of racing they need (which IMO is greater than any other) Having said that, wanna bet Philipsen or Milan crosses the line first on Via Roma?

[@gregorybertrand645]

Imagine Tadej doing the whole course solo and winning by like 2 minutes. Every other cyclist might as well find a new job.

[@James-J-J-J]

Now that would make the whole 7ht worth watching!!

[@gcnracing]

😂

[@PrzemyslawSliwinski]

What about presenters? How many more times would you like to watch them singing: ♪♫ You know who is doing you know what! ♫♪

[@tobias5256]

Keep dreaming we got mvdp in there

[@ankaslodek3759]

I was about to comment that

[@dorydiavelone3531]

I love MVP!!!

[@gcnracing]

Si is that you 👀

[@alexnero2914]

@gcnracing I think I’ve a potential solution for filming the descent off the Poggio, drones. Send the motorbikes ahead, keep the helicopter close, six minutes is enough battery time, and we could get some unique shots. There is one that can keep up with F1 cars now, surely it can keep up with (insert who you think will win) on the way down towards the finish. Cheers! 6:40

[@gcnracing]

Drones have been a popular recommendation! It would really look amazing

[@pbeland100]

And how to watch it now from Canada, since there is no more GCN+...

[@pittapittae]

I know Italian pronunciation can be hard on English-speaking people, but it is Pavìa, with the accent on the "I". Keep it up folks, always superb show!

[@daniellloyd100]

Thank you. I hadn't noticed the accent on the i - at least I'll know for Saturday! Dan

[@pittapittae]

@@daniellloyd100 No worries, just wishing to up your game with the Italian races!

[@kenjiishikawa1029]

Were fade haircuts on discount at GCN HQ this week?

[@AlessioPunzi]

This will be an extreme edition. Either bunch sprint (Milan), or solo attack from the Capi

[@francescomancetti8327]

situation is totally different.. Strade 80km to do it was a group of 20 riders already tired, people had no team mate or just 1. 50km from the finish of San Remo, it's still a quite fresh peloton considering most riders stayed in the wheel all day long. Flat smooth tarmac makes it so hard to gap compared to strade's gravel paths

[@MilesDavisKDAB]

Given what he did at Strada Bianchi I can imagine Pog going long. I wouldn't be surprised to see him try to get a gap on each of the Tre Capi & if that doesn't work trying again on the Cipressa and then finally on the Poggio if he has to. He knows that he needs to get clear or get a small group with no fast finishers so I think he will try every opportunity.

[@twinpiperzed7222]

This is 80k further than strada, it won’t happen

[@MilesDavisKDAB]

@twinpiperzed7222 Good point but might depend on how aggressive teams are in the first half of the race. Also every rider will have the extra 80k in their legs. Also Pog is a bit crazy.

[@Momastaro]

Watch out for Ganna

[@bikeyclown4669]

These races are harder to predict than stage races. If Vanderpoel is there at the end, he will win. When he is on form, he is unstoppable in these races. Even, if Pogicar is with him. If Pogicar can get clear of everyone, he will probably win, but it won't be as easy as Strade Bianche. What could really change the dynamics of this race will be, if all of the big guns start riding defensively to preserve their chances, and someone unexpected sneaks away.

[@cooldude.1811]

Pog has to do a Bettiol !

[@user-ps2zm2ec9n]

If Fred Wright is doing it, he was honing his form around Pott Shrigley yesterday, which would be a unique training strategy.

[@gcnracing]

He is in fact on the start list 👀

[@sebastienlemens934]

Just want to let the suit & tie decision makers at WBD and Eurosport that I will be watching this race. I will not get extorted by Flobike's usury prices. You won't let me subscribe to D+ UK. But I do have a VPN and I know how to work it. If you do the math, that's zero $$$ for everyone. Cheers from Canada 😊

[@molucas3797]

its become a faster race as the years have gone by, making it harder to predict the winner,

[@desmondatkinson4642]

Pavia - Don't forget to place the emphasis on the penultimate syllable, guys - sounds like Paveeha

[@eloann]

UAE should try something else than pacing hard on the front. I'd like to see a proper attack from someone like Del Toro. He's good enough to stand a chance if there's some hesitation, which there should be with Pogacar in the chasers' wheel.

[@francescomancetti8327]

People think Tadej can attack very far away like in strade, but situation is totally different.. Strade 80km to do it was a group of 20 riders already tired, people had no team mate or just 1. 50km from the finish of San Remo, it's still a quite fresh peloton considering most riders stayed in the wheel all day long. Flat smooth tarmac makes it so hard to gap compared to strade's gravel paths

[@francistumwesige1028]

People who have been despising this race for years will have to wake up to the realisation that it is the only race on the World Tour calendar, both men and women, still with genuine suspense as to the winning rider or team. And therefore the only competitive and watchable race left.

[@FlotitanPmdDo]

I will go for bettiol

[@leduch]

bora

[@fredsirvalo1904]

Any race that has my favourite men's world tour Slovenian in it, I'm rooting for him. Matej Mohorič.

[@gcnracing]

Can he do it again 👀

[@fredsirvalo1904]

@@gcnracing It would be fantastic.

[@davidscoosh]

Does strava have the motorbike descent

[@tomaszfalek2377]

That wobbling table would be way too annoying for me to sit at for this long haha😉

[@WithMyHeartUponMySleeve]

pogacar is so powerful that he doesn't get chance to practice team tactics. he makes plan and executes it. but he hasn't learned to improvise on the go when things don't work according to plan because it happens so rarely. and that's where visma beats him by upsetting his plan in just 1 or 2 stages in tdf. i think inorder to learn things pogacar should participate without the team mates support for some races so he learns how to take advantage of other teams and their plans.

[@MrGriff4256]

Since the GCN Prediction curse is alive and well, I'll go with Bettiol.

[@barnabywoods5403]

I would like to see UAE try launching some attacks. Some attacks could potentially force the other favourites to work in the wind while Pogi sits in or the group may underestimate a Wellens or Hirschi, granted there great rides but not favourites. Maybe an aggressive leadout and with one of the riders in UAE intentionally letting the wheel go, creating a brake

[@rulifaller8474]

No one in the UAE team is ever going to win on a day that Pogi is in it for the win. They are just always 100% team Pogi. Also, the other teams have riders that are just as good as those UAE guys, so they can simply chase them back. Then you get to Poggio and Pogi has on one left. And he needs a lead out there.

[@seancday]

Find yourself someone who loves you like Si loves MSR.

[@gcnracing]

🤣

[@derekwu8989]

MVDP is the king of one day race

[@Siboyy-us4wg]

Biniam ghirmay 🇪🇷

[@AbruzzoRockers77]

Pavia , accent is on the i

[@richardhenderson1902]

Has the barber been in chaps? Looking sharp

[@johnandrews3568]

I'd love to see Majoric pick up a second win if he's racing this year.

[@smr6263]

Yesterday, I was sleeping and I dreamt that Pogi won the race 😉

[@gcnracing]

do you think that dream will come true?!

[@smr6263]

​@@gcnracingMaybe I will see on Saturday if my dream comes true.

[@Bondarel7]

I hope Tadej... I think MVDP had a big form în the winter, maybe he îs slowed down a little now, i m not sure....

[@gcnracing]

We can't wait to find out!

[@MihaiAz]

My predictions, in a sweet scenario, would be that Skujins will lead Pedersen to victory in a sprint among 8-12 cyclists. I say "sweet" because UAE and Visma make things quite bitter and hard to digest these days.

[@ernestpaul6444]

also reminder that MVDP is the current world champ so for most its probably gonna be their first time seeing him in rainbow stripes for road racing. That said I am still picking Pogacar to win

[@paulsolon6229]

Mvp and pogacar get along v well Reasonable

[@user-ro9wg8rc5u]

Isaac Del Toro 🇲🇽 Mexico UAE

[@paulsolon6229]

Reasonable to imagine pog and mvp attack together from far out And that this time pog at sprint won’t caught from behind 50/5O who wins b t mvp and p

[@Driver8takeabreak]

Van der Poel raced until the end of January in cross though.

[@francescomancetti8327]

while others were doing super intense workouts in Calpe

[@Driver8takeabreak]

@@francescomancetti8327 Are you arguing that cross races aren't super intense?

[@francescomancetti8327]

@@Driver8takeabreak No, i'm saying that the fatigue MVDP got from the cyclo cross season is more or less equal to the fatigue Pogacar got from his hard training. That MVDP having a cyclocross season in the legs is not a disavantage for him

[@Driver8takeabreak]

@@francescomancetti8327 Agreed. I commented this to point out that even though this is his "first race of the season", he's really just coming back from a training block. He rarely comes to races unprepared, so I don't think there should be much worry there.

[@gustavoacamargo]

Please, where can I watch???

[@trenaparks3702]

Not sure where you live, but in the USA, we had to subscribe to MAX to get it on top of already having FloBikes and Peacock. Only way we could get Strade Bianche and the upcoming Giro as well. And people wonder why Pro cycling isn't that popular here!

[@TnFruit]

I think Tadey needs Nils Politt

[@iansingleton]

What about Jonathan Milan (Lidl/Trek)? He's gotta be one to watch!

[@daniellloyd100]

Definitely. Pretty sure we mentioned him though? Dan

[@iansingleton]

@@daniellloyd100 I was listening for his name but didn't hear it! Saying that you did mention half the Peloton! 🤣 😂 It's San Remo, half the Peloton does stand a chance, I think this year more than any! Bettiols win yesterday has gotta put him in with a shout that was an outstanding effort.

[@Driver8takeabreak]

People bag on MSR for being to boring, but it's so incredible to almost guarantee on specific section where the race is almost always run. But at the same time it's completely unpredictable what will happen! The anticipation for the Poggio is next level.

[@gcnracing]

This is very true! It's a race that could go any direction 👀

[@cganji8996]

Mind says Tadej, heart wants Mohoric. Don't think the sprinters will have a chance but very curious to see how Olav Kooij does given his current form.

[@user-ro9wg8rc5u]

Isaac Del Toro UAE

[@martinhagbart4313]

Gonna be a Mads P. Year

[@elshaday5026]

Biniam Ghirmay🇪🇷

[@easternbrown]

Pavia is not Milan. Is this year's MSR sponsored by Ryanair?

[@itzchaky]

Lance Amstrong as winner - Bet all my menoey🎉💰

[@derekbroussard]

will isaac del toro race the milan san remo?

[@jpslaym0936]

If they are going to take away the motorbike on descent esp of the Pogio, drone technology can chase F1 cars, it can certainly keep up with cyclists and give us birds eye view

[@adamfeerst2575]

MVDPs first race of the year? Have you forgotten about CX?

[@gcnracing]

First road race. Dan

[@andreim1270]

Pogi's chance is to atack on the cipresa, he can't drop mvdp on poggio, not hard enough

[@johnyboy2934]

Skujins is gonna cook hard.......but of course matue and pogy are gonna burn the peleton

[@hansfagerstrom4752]

MVDP OR POGI ? Hard to tell...

[@Murda2615]

UAE and Tadej will win it. It’s his year of glory

[@earbrass2]

You two got the same barber? ;)

[@GBatAP]

I think an overlooked thing in this race is the availability of soren kragh andersen. If Wellens is able to put alot of pressure on on the cipressa im not sure how that bodes for MVDP if he has little help.

[@tannerslomko]

Mark my words: Geoffrey Soupe taking the whole thing!

[@gcnracing]

I'm going to the bookmakers now.... Dan

[@jamiesharp2749]

Have you guys forgotten about MVP’s cyclocross season?🤔🤔

[@Craigwdlr]

My brain says Poggi.

[@gcnracing]

and the heart? 😍

[@jaydicenso]

That's why they named the last climb after him. :)

[@fougie81]

Philipsen

[@tubojan]

Moho 1st

[@migianogoux1967]

I just hope that after the finish there wont be any....." What did you thing about Pogs jump? puuuffff WTF and what did you said to others? I said WTF we are just dead bodies behind🤣 Sirious I will be glad if Pog, MVDP, Moho or Girmay will win😌

[@montani3semper]

Mass Sprint? 40%, selective sprint? 30%, outlier breakaway? 30%

[@danielmacdonald721]

Genuinely I don’t even think this is a sprinters classic anymore. If I was a sprinter I wouldn’t bother going no point anymore

[@samh2023]

That's probably true, but if the big names are evenly matched on the climb, the bunch can still get together in the descent. Like when Stuyven won in 2021. Could have just as easily been a sprint. I would definitely go for it as a sprinter, it's still the most likely way to win a monument for sprinters. But it's getting less likely for sure.