The season's first Monument is in the record books after another dramatic finish played out on the Via Roma at the end of Milan-San Remo, where 26-year-old Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep) out-sprinted a handful of top contenders to take his seventh win of 2019. The 110th running of La Primavera crowned another worthy winner after nearly seven hours in the saddle, topped off with an exciting spectacle over the Poggio and continuing into the streets of San Remo. We've put together a list of top conclusions from Saturday's race below.
Alaphilippe stays cool as rivals falter
Milan-San Remo produces arguably the most intense, emotional, adrenaline-filled final few kilometres of any major race, testing riders' strength, speed and especially their ability to make a multitude of split-second tactical decisions.
An attack at the wrong moment, when the odds of success are lower, or a reactionary decision to go on the front and chase a rival, can suddenly end a chance of victory. Just ask Matteo Trentin and Wout van Aert, who were kicking themselves post-race after burning their last matches in an attack and chase with two kilometres to go, when it was almost certain the sprint would decide the winner of this year's Milan-San Remo.
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Peter Sagan was almost embarrassed with the way he rode in the Via Roma sprint. He is considered one of the best tacticians in the peloton but admitted he made a real mess of the finish by being stuck on the front and then focusing on Alejandro Valverde instead of Alaphilippe.
The contrast between those mistakes and Alaphilippe's perfect execution was significant. The Frenchman clearly had confidence in his own ability and form.
Alaphilippe carefully followed Matej Mohoric in the left and right turns in the final kilometre and then made sure he was well placed going into Via Roma sprint. He was watching Sagan on his right but stayed well placed; then when Mohoric surged up his left and started the sprint, Alaphilippe knew it was the lead-out that would take him to victory. He was not afraid to then accelerate himself and even celebrate victory with his arms in the air. (SF)
A new March super specialisation
Sagan's run continues
Matthews on the rise
Novo Nordisk and knowing your limitations
Katusha-Alpecin's woes continue
Mechanical and the drive for technology
Mohoric and Van Aert lead a new wave
Deceuninck-QuickStep's domination
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/9-conclusions-from-milan-san-remo
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