Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews’ live coverage from La Classicissima Milan-San Remo. It’s the first Classic of the season what a feast of racing we have in store for you today. At 298km, it’s the longest race on the UCI calendar and is traditionally regarded as the true start of the Spring Classics. Here we go...
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11:14 GMT
The 2000 edition of the race was a sprinter’s Classic in more ways than one with Erik Zabel claiming the win ahead of Fabio Baldato (ponytail n’ all) and then world champ Oscar Friere.
It was a textbook win for Zabel who’s totally drilled and prepared team led the German out perfectly. Star man on the team was Gian Matteo Fagnini who stayed with Zabel throughout the race, caught the leaders before the finish and then led the German out until 200 meters to go.
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11:18 GMT
To put it into context Fasso that day had a lead out train consisting of Ferrigato, Konyshev, Belli and of course Baldato. Fagnini eclipsed them all.
We all know what Zabel does now, acting a sprint-advisor for Mark Cavendish. If Cavendish has any hope of winning today perhaps his closest ally will be Zabel. Don't write him off yet.
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11:31 GMT
At the start line this morning Tom Boonen told Sporza.be "The fact that I'm favourite in the Gazetta won't count later, it's only the results that count. No-one will think about who was favourite once the winner is known. We'll see if I'm still there after the Poggio; if I am, that means that I rode a perfect race."
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11:32 GMT
Omega Pharma-Lotto's Greg Van Avermaet told Belgian tv he's ready for today's battle right before the start. "The weather is not that good but I'm feeling ok. I feel rested and feel good and we'll see how far I go. Everything today is in service of Gilbert. I can do my own thing but from the Poggio onward we focus on Gilbert, if he feels good we'll surely do everything for him there. From the Cipressa the actual race is on, I'll be in the front and if I can go in a break I will."
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11:36 GMT (216km remaining from 298km)
The leaders have had their lead cut down to just over 20 minutes as Quick Step have begun to work on the front of the peloton for their man Boonen. They'll wan to keep the leaders in check and bring the gap down steadily. There's still a long, long way to go. By the way the weather is starting to improve in Milan. Perhaps we'll even had sunshine. I hope Stephen Farrand has brought his sun cream.
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11:38 GMT
Conditions on Turchino are wet and grey.