There he left the competition breathlessly amazed. “The pace was tough for us when he attacked on Saturday’s queen stage. But he just drove away. Nobody could react. He’s a level above us“said Ineos professional Richie Porte.
Roglic similarly dominant in Paris – Nice
The Brit Simon Yates reported something similar about Roglic’s appearance at Paris – Nice. “We’re all panting like we’re on our deathbeds, and he doesn’t even need to take a deep breath“Said the eyewitness to Roglic’s start, also last Saturday at the king’s stage of this race.
Roglic seems to be the only one who could currently parry an attack by Pogacar. In any case, a Pogacar neutralization would pave the way for a success for Wout Van Aert, teammate of Roglic and SanSanremo winner 2020. The Jumbo – Visma pros made it to the winner’s podium twice in threes at Paris – Nice after one stage.
Once the Frenchman Christophe Laporte, as reported by his captains Roglic and Van Aert for Sanremo, completed the ZeSanremonie. A few days later, Rohan Dennis joined them both. Jumbo – Visma’s team strength is as impressive as Pogacar’s ability.
The fear of the sprinters
The classic sprinters dread this year’s classic. “I think the Cipressa will be crucial this year. It was fast there in the last few years, but not terrible for us sprinters. This year, however, that could change” fears Giacomo Nizzolo, captain of Israel Start Up-Nation, and thus teammate of Rick Zabel, the son of four-time Sanremo triumphant Erik Zabel.
Even with the usually dominant classic racing team, Quick Step Alpha Vinyl, expectations are muted. “Pogacar’s team UAE Emirates will approach the Cipressa as a closed block even on the climbs. Pogacar will then attack. A few will be able to follow him. But Milan – Sanremo will certainly not be anything for the sprinters this year“said Davide Bramati, sporting director of Quick Step, to the sports show.
The racing team therefore left its top sprinter Mark Cavendish, Sanremo winner in 2009, at home. Internal sprint rival Fabio Jakobsen, six wins of the season so far, is just there to learn. World Champion Julian Alaphilippe, winner in 2019 and perfectly suited to a Cipressa scenario due to his aggressiveness, is not available to the racing team due to bronchitis.
Fast Man Standing Caleb Ewan
The only world-class sprinter who hasn’t dampened his ambitions yet is Caleb Ewan. “I continued to work on my climbing skills over the winter. I got through Poggio and Cipressa well last year. I’m confident that I can be up front again this year“said last year’s second from Australia to the sports show.
It will be decisive for him how far ahead his team Lotto Soudal, including ex-world champion Philippe Gilbert and Berlin’s Roger Kluge, can get him into the climbs.
Degenkolb misses the start
The only faint German hope in the spring race rested on John Degenkolb, who has returned to Team DSM. However, the German veteran missed the race due to flu.