The 115th edition of Milan-San Remo takes place on Saturday, with Mathieu van der Poel returning to the road to defend the title he claimed last year.
The first Monument of the season, its length - the 2024 route stretches 288km - make it arguably the most unpredictable race of the year and the pesky placing of the Cipressa and Poggio climbs within the final 30km could again decide who crosses the finish line first on Via Roma.
Van der Poel launched a characteristic race-defining attack on the Poggio to ride away from Wout van Aert and Filippo Ganna in 2023 and he is aiming to become the ninth rider to record back-to-back La Classicissima victories.
- Mathieu van der Poel to win
- Mads Pedersen each-way
In-from Van der Poel Can Defend
Saturday sees Van der Poel make his first appearance on the road in 2024, but form and fitness should not be an issue after another stunning winter campaign, including claiming a sixth world cyclo-cross title to go with the rainbow jersey on the road he won last August in Glasgow.
Last year's attack on the Poggio helped him become the fourth Dutchman to win the Milan-San Remo, demonstrating the brute strength that often allows him to marginalise - or should that be marmalise - his rivals.
The 29-year-old's performance and reputation mean he will be marked by the other favourites and might be put under pressure early in the race, as they attempt to drain his legs of the energy required to produce a similar finish to 2023.
However, he is not the only contender capable of such a sensational move. Tadej Pogacar's recent win at Strade Bianche saw him use both his smarts and strength by exposing the lack of organisation behind him by attacking with 81km to go and soloing to a dominant victory in Siena.
Although a different type of rider, Pogacar shares Van der Poel's ability to explode from the pack and ride opponents off his wheel.
The Slovenian finished fourth last year and, while he may not have quite the same power as his Dutch rival, both could use each other's presence to unsettle their fellow contenders.
Pogacar was terrifying in Tuscany - but Van der Poel is the man to beat in Milan-San Remo.
Pedersen Worthy Of A Placing
If another solo attack wins, it might be worth exploring other each-way options when seeking value.
Mads Pedersen was sixth last year and, although not a climber, scaling the Cipressa and Poggio is well within his capabilities.
The 2019 world champion recorded two second-place finishes at last week's Paris-Nice and is arguably the best sprinter of those expected to be involved at the business end of the race.
Pedersen will fancy himself if Saturday's race comes down to a late dash for the line along the Via Roma.
The 28-year-old could also lead home the chasing pack should a solo rider get away in the final kilometres and that versatility makes him worth following.
