Merckx reveals how he thinks Pogacar can win Milan-Sanremo

With Milan-Sanremo right around the corner, the anticipation continues to build. Part of the reason for such intrigue is the simple fact that it is a race that Tadej Pogačar has ridden five times, but is one of the rare exceptions in which he has yet to taste victory. 

The World Champion has made no secret of his desire to win Milan-Sanremo, and his previous appearances have yielded drama aplenty, as he has tried countless attacks on the Poggio and even resorted to going long-range on the Cipressa. 

Last year's Cipressa attack saw Pogačar, Filippo Ganna, and Mathieu van der Poel stay clear to the line, showing moves can pay off well before the Poggio.

It’s fair to say that the race has transformed in its complexity from a decade when Arnaud Démare won in 2016, continuing a long streak of sprint finishes at the race. 

Pogačar is a big part of the shift to a version of the race which echoes more similarities to an era when Eddy Merckx won seven editions, a record at La Classicissima in a period spanning from 1966 to 1976.

With the ongoing comparisons between the Cannibal and Pogačar, those who lean in favour of the Belgian can point to his seven Milan-Sanremo victories, whilst Pogačar still hunts his first. 

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Merckx weighed in on how he thinks Pogačar can best approach Milan-Sanremo. 

Alpecin-Premier Tech have won the past three editions of the race, twice with Van der Poel in 2023 and 2025, and once with Jasper Philipsen in 2024, where Van der Poel turned into a key teammate. 

Merckx acknowledged the current form of the Dutchman following two stage victories at Tirreno-Adriatico, and admitted it will be difficult for Pogačar to outright drop him. He suggested that Pogačar needs to “attack at the right moment.”

“This could be Pogacar’s chance if… he attacks at the right moment,” Merckx told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “But the Van der Poel we saw at Tirreno-Adriatico, not just because of the two stages he won, but for other reasons too, won’t be easy to beat. 

Merckx noted Van der Poel’s advantage in the finish, meaning that the onus is on Pogačar to make the difference earlier in the race, and highlighted how the long distance can play a role.

“Quite the contrary. Tadej needs to break away from him, because if they’re still together after 300 kilometres on Via Roma… Mathieu would be the favourite. The long distance could work in the Dutchman’s favour.” 

When asked where the right moment for Pogačar to attack was, Merckx argued that he should revert to the more traditional launchpad on the Poggio.

“On the Poggio. Even though he can drop everyone on the Cipressa, last year only Van der Poel and Ganna were able to stay with him," said Merckx.

“He’s capable of long breaks, but at Sanremo, the chances of being caught up increase. And if there’s a strong headwind on the Cipressa, making a difference would become very difficult. Even for Tadej Pogacar.” 

Pogačar will line up for just the second time this season on March 21 at Milan-Sanremo, after winning a record-breaking fourth Strade Bianche with a 79km solo effort earlier this month.