Countdown to Milan-San Remo

The Milan-San Remo is one of the oldest, most difficult one-day races in the world. First held in 1907, it is the longest of the classics at 294 kilometers and is a race that has never been won by an American. However, it is a race that has been mastered by some and disastrous for others. Below are some facts and figures that you might find interesting.

Top 5 Winners of Milan-San Remo

1. Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx won the Milan-San Remo seven times between 1966 and 1976.
1966: Eddy Merckx (B), Peugeot-BP-Michelin
1967: Eddy Merckx (B), Peugeot-BP-Michelin
1968: Rudi Altig (G), Salvarani
1969: Eddy Merckx (B), Faema
1970: Michele Dancelli (I), Molteni
1971: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni
1972: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni
1973: Roger De Vlaeminck (B), Brooklyn
1974: Felice Gimondi (I), Bianchi-Campagnolo
1975: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni
1976: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni

2. Constante Girardengo
Constante Girardengo won the Milan-San Remo six times between 1918 and 1928.
1918: Costante Girardengo (I), Bianchi
1919: Angelo Cremo (I), Stucchi
1920: Gaetano Belloni (I), Bianchi
1921: Costante Girardengo (I), Stucchi-Pirelli
1922: Giovanni Brunero (I), Legnano
1923: Costante Girardengo (I), Maino
1924: Pietro Linari (I), Legnano
1925: Costante Girardengo (I), Wolsit
1926: Costante Girardengo (I), Wolsit
1927: Pietro Chesi (I), Artar
1928: Costante Girardengo (I), Maino

3. Gino Bartali
Gino Bartali won Milan-San Remo four times between 1939 and 1950 (and probably would have won a couple more times if the race hadn't been cancelled during World War II).
1939: Gino Bartali (I), Legnano
1940: Gino Bartali (I), Legnano
1941: Pierino Favalli (I), Legnano
1942: Adolfo Leoni (I), Bianchi
1943: Cino Cinelli (I), Bianchi
1946: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi
1947: Gino Bartali (I), Legnano
1948: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi
1949: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi-Ursus
1950: Gino Bartali (I), Bartali-Gardiol

4. Erik Zabel
Erik Zabel won the Milan-San Remo four times between 1997 and 2001. He would have won five times but in 2004 he threw his hands up in celebration a bit early and was pipped at the line by Oscar Freire.
1997: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
1998: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
1999: Andrei Tchmil (B), Lotto
2000: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
2001: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom

5. Fausto Coppi
Fausto Coppi won the Milan-San Remo three times between 1946 and 1949.
1946: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi
1947: Gino Bartali (I), Legnano
1948: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi
1949: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi-Ursus

Over the past ten years the Milan-San Remo has been won by a variety of the last decade's finest one-day specialists, but once again, never an American:

1998: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
1999: Andrei Tchmil (B), Lotto
2000: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
2001: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
2002: Mario Cipollini (I), Acqua & Sapone
2003: Paolo Bettini (I), Quick Step-Davitamon
2004: Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank
2005: Alessandro Petacchi (I), Fassa Bortolo
2006: Filippo Pozzato (I), Quick Step-Innergetic
2007: Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank
2008: Fabian Cancellara (Swi), Team CSC

Looking at some of these facts and figures you may notice a few missing names.

1. Tom Boonen
As one of the best current Classics riders he has yet to make it to the history books of the Milan-San Remo. In 2006 he helped his fellow teammate, Filippo Pozzato win, so that counts for something. But bottom line is that Boonen needs to win the M-SR to solidify his place in the history books.
2. USA
It comes as no surprise that an American has not won Milan-San Remo—most of the Classics have not been won by an American (though there have been many podium finishes).
3. Lance Armstrong
As a living legend of cycling, Armstrong has never had a very good finish at Milan-San Remo. Many of the historical Tour de France champions have won this epic race, but Armstrong was never able to pull it off. Maybe he'll surprise us this year? Most likely not…

Armstrong's M-SR Campaign:
1993 – 22nd
1994 – 94th
1995 – 73rd
1996 – 11th
1999 – 118th
2000 – 108th
2002 – 44th

Which of these Americans can break the losing streak this year?
Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
Michael Friedman (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
Will Frischkorn (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
George Hincapie (USA) Columbia

As much as I hate to say it, George Hincapie is our best shot at a Milan-San Remo victory. He's come in 2nd at Paris-Roubaix and he won Ghent-Wevelgem, the only American to do so (I think).

If Tyler Farrar can be in the front group at the finish line, maybe he can win the bunch sprint. And maybe Will Frischkorn's breakaway will stick this year?

My money is on Boonen this year.

There won't be any guessing tomorrow evening.