Milan-San Remo 2026: The spring cycling classic scratches the 300-kilometre mark

As in previous years, the race starts on 21 March in Pavía, a few dozen kilometres south of the outskirts of Milan. However, the route for the 117th edition is nine kilometres longer than last year, when Mathieu van der Poel came out on top at the end of a thrilling three-way battle ahead of Italian Filippo Ganna and Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar. There are 298 kilometres between the start in Pavia and the finish line in San Remo in 2026. Last year it was 289 kilometres. Race organiser RCS made this public today (Friday 27 February). The additional kilometres will be ridden on a small loop south of Pavia in the Po Valley.

The key points remain the same

Basically, the route with its key sections remains largely the same. It goes over the Turchino Pass to the Mediterranean coast near Genoa, from there on the Via Aurelia coastal road to the Cipressa and Poggio climbs. The latter is 5.6 kilometres before the finish in the centre of San Remo. Milan-San Remo, known in Italy as "La Classicissima", remains by far the longest one-day race in professional cycling. RCS did not provide any information in the press release as to what the route of the women's race will look like this year or whether it will change compared to last year.