Tadej Pogacar has 'cards to play', Tom Pidcock wants to 'change rulebook' - Big guns preview Milano-Sanremo 2026

The first of Monument of the 2026 cycling season takes place on Saturday when Tadej Pogacar will bid to win one of the few titles that still eludes him. The UAE Team Emirates star said he has some "cards to play" when discussing his plans for the race, while British hope Tom Pidcock suggested teams might have to "start changing the rulebook" to put a halt to the Slovenian's increasing dominance.

Tadej Pogacar has warned that he has ”some cards to play” at Milano-Sanremo, including leaning on his UAE Team Emirates team-mate Isaac Del Toro.

The Slovenian superstar will start as the favourite when racing gets underway in northern Italy on Saturday, March 21 – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Pogacar’s glittering CV boasts four Tour de France titles, the Giro d’Italia and 10 Monument victories, but he is yet to come out on top in Milano-Sanremo.

Olympic Games

Pogacar lays out long-term goal but admits it's 'not exactly in the interests of my team'

Yesterday at 22:27

Last year, Pogacar came third behind winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers), but he kept things simple when considering what he must do to get the elusive victory this time around.

”Just be better. That is all. And have good luck on the side also,” Pogacar said.

The record-holder at the famous one-day event is Belgian great Eddy Merckx, who claimed seven victories.

Van der Poel reflects on 'one of the most spectacular' wins at Milano-Sanremo in 2025

Video credit: TNT Sports

Merckx, who celebrates the 50th anniversary of his final Milano-Sanremo win this year, suggested before the race that Pogacar should launch his attack on the Poggio, not the Cipressa, section of the course.

The latter climb comes less than six kilometres before the finish line, while the Cipressa is 276.3km into the 298km route.

Responding to the advice, Pogacar said: "It doesn’t make much difference, it depends on the race situation.”

"We have to speak with the team and see what we will do. We have a great team here. We have Isaac [Del Toro], who is in super good shape, so there are some cards to play.”

• Pedersen to make surprise appearance at Milano-Sanremo after quick injury recovery
• Evenepoel snowed in as Volta a Catalunya bid plunged into doubt

Del Toro, 22, was one of the breakthrough stars of 2025, making a surprise bid for glory at the Giro d’Italia before ultimately finishing as runner-up to Simon Yates.

The Mexican also had great success in the Italian one-day races, winning Milano-Torino, the Giro dell’Emilia, Giro del Veneto and Gran Piemonte.

"That’s why all the team is crucial in Sanremo,” Pogacar said when asked about his rising star team-mate.

Highlights: Pogacar powers to Strade Bianche win, teenager Seixas second

Video credit: TNT Sports

"If you want to do something in Cipressa or even Poggio you need to have a really strong team around you, to preserve as much energy as possible. Isaac will be important but so will the rest of the team.”

Both the Cipressa and Poggio sections will be familiar to Pogacar, who spent time training on them over the cold winter months.  

The Slovenian then laid down a marker at the start of March by soloing to a record fourth victory at Strade Bianche.

"After Strade, I was in Belgium first, and then a little bit at home. Then I did some training before coming here around Sanremo,” Pogacar said.

"But in the winter, I can go a lot of times to Cipressa, Poggio, and take a nice not long ride there. So I know it pretty well but there is still many things to uncover.”

Pidcock: Teams need to start changing rulebook

Tom Pidcock is the leading British hope, coming into the race on the back of a superb win at Milano-Torino.

The Pinarello-Q36.5 rider, making his debut at the world’s oldest classic on its 150th anniversary, attacked inside the final kilometre to claim victory.

"It’s great. Having a win coming into this week, it couldn’t be much better. It’s a little bit different tomorrow, but for sure it gives me some confidence,” Pidcock said.

On his prospects of competing for another victory at Milano-Sanremo after things did not go to plan in 2025, he said: ”That’s what I hope. Yeah, it was bad luck [last year], but you make your own luck.”

'You make your own luck' - In-form Pidock previews Milan-Sanremo chances

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I was too far back into the Cipressa and lost the wheel of Mark. That was my fault. You make your own luck and little mistakes cost you the race here. Hopefully no mistakes tomorrow and then we’ll see. But it’s going to be important into the Cipressa.”

He continued: ”With the speed going up and up it’s becoming more and more explosive, which is less and less good for me and a bit less tactical or technical.

"We’ll see tomorrow what other teams do. Some teams need to start changing the rulebook.

"Everyone thinks that to work for your team-mates you need to ride faster. But we’ll see if anyone tries to block the road on the Cipressa. That is a good tactic if you’re not Tadej [Pogacar].”

Highlights: Pidcock claims thrilling Milano-Torino victory on debut

Video credit: TNT Sports

How to watch Milano-Sanremo

You can watch all the action from Milano-Sanremo live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The men's race will be live on TNT Sports 4 and discovery+ from 8.30am UK time, while coverage of the women's race begins at 11.30am.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Cycling

Key Pogacar team-mate signs new long-term contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG

06/08/2026 at 20:30

Tour de France

Vingegaard reveals rival Pogacar's message after Tour crash

30/07/2026 at 17:56