2015 Milan–San Remo

Cycling race April 2019 2015 Milan–San Remo 2015 UCI World Tour 4 28 Peloton, Milan-Sanremo 2015.jpg The peloton in Savona 300 22 March 2015 1 293 km 6h 46' 16" John Degenkolb GIA 2015 GER Alexander Kristoff KAT 2015 NOR Michael Matthews OGE 2015 AUS 2014 2016 The 2015 Milan–San Remo was a one-day cycling classic that took place in Italy on 22 March. The race was the 106th edition of the Milan–San Remo. It was the fourth of the 28 races on the Union Cycliste Internationale's (UCI) 2015 World Tour and the first of them to be a one-day race.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-confirm-worldtour-calendar-2015 UCI confirm WorldTour Calendar 2015 4 January 2015 Cycling Newshttp://www.uci.ch/road/calendar/detail#date=20150301&view=list&categ=257&country=0&classc=0 2015 UCI Calendar 4 January 2015 UCI It was also the first of the 2015 cycling monuments, the five most important one-day races of the year.Farrand Stephen Milan-San Remo preview http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milan-san-remo-2015/preview 21 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 19 March 2015 The defending champion was Alexander Kristoff (KAT 2015), who won the previous year's race in a sprint. The 2015 race returned to the traditional route of Milan−San Remo, which had not been used since an extra climb had been added in the 2008 race. The removal of the La Manie climb was seen as making the race more suitable for sprinters. The race started in the city of Milan, travelling to the Mediterranean and then south along the coast. The final part of the race was the most difficult, with five climbs in the last 55 km, before the race ended in the city of Sanremo, for a distance of 293 km 1 off. After numerous attacks in the final stages of the race, particularly from riders on the BMC 2015 and SKY 2015, it was decided in a sprint in San Remo on the Via Roma, won by John Degenkolb (GIA 2015), with Kristoff second and Michael Matthews (OGE 2015) in third place. Route Route history and course changes The route of Milan–San Remo has varied over the years, with climbs added at various points to make the course harder. The first climb to be introduced was the Poggio, followed by the Cipressa in 1982. The course was made more difficult again in 2008, with the addition of the climb of La Manie approximately 90 km off from the end of the race. The finish of the course was also moved in 2008 from the traditional location on the Via Roma to Lungomare Italo Calvino.Kröner Hedwig 'Maniac' enters Milano-Sanremo http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/mar08/mar06news2 21 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 6 March 2008 Further changes were planned for the 2014 edition. The climb of La Manie was removed, and a new climb, the Pompeiana, was planned between the Cipressa and the Poggio, but was discarded after landslides made it unsafe to ride.Brown Gregor Milan-San Remo 2015 route confirmed http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/milan-san-remo-2015-route-confirmed-139946 21 March 2015 Cycling Weekly 15 October 2014 The 2015 edition of the race was similar to the route ultimately taken by the 2014 edition: neither La Manie nor the Pompeiana were included. The course closely resembled the route that had been used between 1982 and 2007, with the traditional finish on the Via Roma.Fretz Carly Preview: Milano-Sanremo turns back the clock http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/preview-milano-sanremo-turns-back-the-clock_364016 21 March 2015 Velonews 20 March 2015 22 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150322153340/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/preview-milano-sanremo-turns-back-the-clock_364016 deadWindsor Richard Milan-San Remo to restore classic Via Roma http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/milan-san-remo-restore-classic-via-roma-finish-147112 21 March 2015 Cycling Weekly 28 November 2014 The race director, Mauro Vegni, announced that the race would use this route again in future editions, without any extra climbs. He expressed hope that the race would remain "finely balanced" between sprinters and attackers.Farrand Stephen Milan-San Remo to remain a race for the sprinters says Vegni http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/milan-san-remo-to-remain-a-race-for-the-sprinters-says-vegni 23 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 23 March 2015 2015 route thumb|Altitude profile of the 2015 Milan–San Remo The longest one-day race on the professional cycling calendar, the 2015 edition was 293 km off in length. It began in the city of Milan, on the Via della Chiesa Rossa. From Milan, the first part of the route was almost entirely flat, as the course passed through the provinces of Milan, Pavia and Alessandria. There were no significant climbs in the first 100 km off. As they entered the province of Genoa, the riders climbed the Passo del Turchino, a long and gentle climb with no significant difficulty. The descent, however, was twisting, giving an advantage to the riders who were towards the front of the peloton. The next 80 km off were again generally flat. This part of the course, in the province of Savona, took the riders along the Mediterranean coast.RCS 2015 28–29Milano-Sanremo 2015 - Classic http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Milano_Sanremo_2015-profiles ProCyclingStats 21 March 2015 After around 240 km off, the route entered the province of Imperia, and the riders faced a series of climbs known as the Capi: the Capo Mele after 241.7 km off; the Capo Cerva after 246.4 km off; and the Capo Berta after 254.3 km off.RCS 2015 23 With less than 40 km off left in the race, a short flat section followed before the riders entered the climb of the Cipressa, where there was always a battle between the teams to position their riders. The Cipressa was 5.6 km off on long, with an average gradient of 4.1%,RCS 2015 24 and its summit came with 21.5 km off to the finish line.RCS 2015 29 After the descent from the Cipressa, a flat, 9 km on off section of road followed, often with a headwind. The final climb of the race was the Poggio, which was 3.7 km off long, with an average gradient of 7% and a maximum of 8%; the summit came with 5.5 km off left in the race.RCS 2015 24 The descent from the climb used narrow roads and hairpin bends; it required strong bike-handling skills. At the foot of the descent, there were 2.3 km off left, on major urban roads. The final turn came with 750 m remaining.RCS 2015 26 Teams Milan–San Remo is part of the UCI World Tour; all of the 17 UCI WorldTeams were obliged to take part. The race organisers, RCS Sport, also made eight wildcard invitations to UCI Professional Continental teams, for a total of 25 teams.Brown Gregor Giro d’Italia 2015 wildcards announced: CCC in, Colombia out http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/giro-ditalia/giro-ditalia-2015-wildcards-announced-ccc-colombia-153068 21 March 2015 Cycling Weekly 19 January 2015 25 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925001028/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/giro-ditalia/giro-ditalia-2015-wildcards-announced-ccc-colombia-153068 dead UCI WorldTeams ALM AST BMC OPQ FDJ IAM LAM LTB MOV OGE GRS GIA KAT BEL SKY TTS TFR 2015 UCI Professional Continental teams AND 2015a CSF TNE CCC COF COL MTN TNN 2015 Pre-race favourites As Milan–San Remo is generally flat and the climbs at the end are not particularly hard, it is often seen as a race for sprinters and is sometimes known as the "sprinters' classic". The defending champion, Alexander Kristoff (KAT 2015), was foremost among these, as he had a particular aptitude for long races in cold conditions. Mark Cavendish (EQS 2015), who won the race in 2009, was seen as the most likely challenger to Kristoff in a bunch sprint.Puddicombe Stephen Milan-San Remo 2015: Who will win? http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/milan-san-remo-2015-who-will-win-162805 21 March 2015 Cycling Weekly 19 March 2015 Cavendish, however, had suffered from a stomach virus in the weeks before the race and was not in perfect condition.O'Shea Sadhbh Cavendish not 100 per cent for San Remo after stomach virus http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-not-100-per-cent-for-san-remo-after-stomach-virus 21 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 21 March 2015 Other sprinters expected to have a chance at victory included John Degenkolb (GIA 2015), Michael Matthews (OGE 2015), André Greipel (LTB 2015), Arnaud Démare (FDJ 2015), Ben Swift (SKY 2015) and Peter Sagan (TTS 2015). The other likely scenario was that a small group of riders would break away over the final climbs, most probably on the Poggio, and be able to hold off the chase from the group behind. Fabian Cancellara (TFR 2015), who won the race in 2008 and had finished on the podium for the last four years, was considered the most likely rider to win the race in this scenario.Farrand Stephen Cancellara ready to turn back the clock at Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cancellara-ready-to-turn-back-the-clock-at-milan-san-remo 21 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 19 March 2015 Sagan was also believed to have a good chance of victory, since he was thought to have the ability and form to win the race from a breakaway as well as a bunch sprint. Other riders who could win the race from a breakaway included Greg Van Avermaet (BMC 2015) and Sep Vanmarcke (BEL 2015). Although Cavendish was not in perfect form, his EQS 2015 y had other riders capable of victory: Zdeněk Štybar and Michał Kwiatkowski, the 2014 world champion, had the potential to attempt an attack in the final part of the race.O'Shea Sadhbh Stybar and Kwiatkowski provide Etixx-QuickStep with options at Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/stybar-and-kwiatkowski-provide-etixx-quickstep-with-options-at-milan-san-remo 21 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 21 March 2015 Report Early stages The race began in wet and cold conditions in Milan. Four riders formed a breakaway shortly after the beginning of the race: Jan Bárta (TNE 2015), Juan Sebastián Molano (COL 2015), Andrea Peron (TNN 2015) and Maarten Tjallingii (BEL 2015). They were joined shortly afterwards by Marco Frapporti, Tiziano Dall'Antonia (both AND 2015a), Matteo Bono (LAM 2015), Serge Pauwels (MTN 2015), Adrian Kurek (CCC 2015), Stefano Pirazzi (CSF 2015) and Julien Bérard (ALM 2015). After 30 km off, they had a lead of over 10 minutes. TFR 2015 and KAT 2015 were among the teams leading the peloton; their efforts reduced the gap to seven minutes after 100 km off. As the breakaway passed over the Passo del Turchino, about halfway through the race, they had a lead of five minutes. The gap was briefly as low as four minutes, but was generally held at about five minutes until there were about 85 km off left to race. As the riders arrived on the Mediterranean coast, the weather conditions improved, with the rain stopping and the roads drying out.Ryan Barry Degenkolb wins Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milan-san-remo-2015/results 22 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015Stokes Shane Degenkolb blasts to biggest career success in Milan-San Remo http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/03/degenkolb-blasts-to-biggest-career-success-in-milan-san-remo/ 22 March 2015 Cyclingtips.com.au 22 March 2015 Tre Capi and the Cipressa With 50 km off remaining, as the riders climbed the Capi climbs, the breakaway's lead was reduced to three minutes; this was reduced again to 90 seconds over the next 10 km off. The leading group was breaking up during these climbs, leaving Pirazzi and Bono at the front of the race. SKY 2015 were the main team controlling the peloton at this point, especially as the climb crossed the Capo Berta. Luke Rowe was leading the group, with Geraint Thomas, Ben Swift and Salvatore Puccio immediately behind. On the descent from the Capo Berta, Puccio crashed and brought down several riders behind him, including Zdeněk Štybar (EQS 2015) and Christopher Juul-Jensen (TTS 2015), whose crash resulted in a bloodied face.Poggio crash knocks Stybar and Kwiatkowski from contention http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/poggio-crash-knocks-stybar-and-kwiatkowski-from-contention 22 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015John Degenkolb wins 2015 Milano-Sanremo http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/john-degenkolb-wins-2015-milano-sanremo_364159 22 March 2015 Velonews 22 March 2015 15 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150615095626/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/john-degenkolb-wins-2015-milano-sanremo_364159 dead Following Puccio's crash, Rowe, Thomas and Swift had a gap ahead of the peloton. Rowe continued to drive the three-man group of SKY 2015 y riders and they caught the remainder of the original breakaway, with Bono the last to be caught. Several riders bridged across to the Sky group, including Štybar and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC 2015), while OGE 2015 kept up a fast pace in the peloton. As the riders reached the foot of the Cipressa climb, the groups came back together. At this point, Arnaud Démare (FDJ 2015) crashed. On the climb, SKY 2015 y's Lars Petter Nordhaug and TFR 2015 y's Julián Arredondo set the pace and caused difficulty for several of the sprinters, including Alexander Kristoff (KAT 2015 y), Mark Cavendish (EQS 2015 y) and Nacer Bouhanni (COF 2015). Cavendish had a mechanical problem during the climb – the same slipped-chain problem that he had suffered in stage 2 of Tirreno–Adriatico. He had to put in significant effort to stay with the group on the Cipressa, which meant that he was unable to contest the later stages of the race.Farrand Stephen Cavendish left disappointed after dropping his chain in Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-left-disappointed-after-dropping-his-chain-in-milan-san-remo 22 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015 On the descent from the Cipressa, Filippo Pozzato (LAM 2015) put in a brief, unsuccessful attack. Soon afterwards Daniel Oss (BMC 2015 y) attacked and was followed by Thomas. Oss and Thomas built a lead ahead of the main group. With 15 km off to the finish line, they were 30 seconds ahead. After some hesitation, the lead was cut down by the pack behind, initially led by José Serpa (LAM 2015 y), then by riders from TFR 2015 y and AST 2015. The pack was 17 seconds behind at the foot of the Poggio climb. Poggio and San Remo thumb|John Degenkolb (GIA 2015) won the 2015 Milan–San Remo in the sprint (photographed here at the 2015 Paris–Nice). On the Poggio, Thomas attacked alone; Luca Paolini (KAT 2015 y) was leading the peloton, although he was unable to reduce Thomas' lead. Eventually, attacks came from Philippe Gilbert (BMC 2015 y) and, more tellingly, his teammate Van Avermaet. Van Avermaet's attack was followed by Arredondo, Peter Sagan (TTS 2015 y) and Michael Matthews (OGE 2015 y). Van Avermaet and Thomas were together at the top of the climb, a few seconds ahead of the second group; the peloton were a further few seconds back. On the descent from the Poggio, Gilbert crashed, causing the crash of several other riders.Sprinters deny Cancellara second Milan-San Remo win http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sprinters-deny-cancellara-second-milan-san-remo-win 23 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015 These included Michał Kwiatkowski (EQS 2015 y), Gerald Ciolek (MTN 2015 y) and Štybar. Kwiatkowski said after the race that his helmet had saved his life in the crash.Windsor Richard Michal Kwiatkowski thanks his helmet after Poggio crash http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/michal-kwiatkowski-thanks-his-helmet-after-poggio-crash-163201 22 March 2015 Cycling Weekly 22 March 2015 Van Avermaet and Thomas were caught soon after the summit of the Poggio, with one reduced group coming into the finish. Thomas continued at the front of the group, bringing back another attack from Van Avermaet and attempting to lead out Swift, but he was exhausted from his earlier efforts in several breakaways.Brown Gregor Geraint Thomas hoping to continue form after heroic ride in Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/geraint-thomas-hoping-to-continue-form-after-heroic-ride-in-milan-san-remo-163206 22 March 2015 Cycling Weekly 22 March 2015 As no rider was able to escape from the front group in the final part of the race, a group came together into the finishing straight. Paolini attempted to lead out Kristoff, as he had done a year earlier. Kristoff launched his sprint with 300 m remaining, but was tired after a long day's racing and was unable to maintain his speed to the finishing line.Farrand Stephen Kristoff tries to find satisfaction in second place at Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kristoff-tries-to-find-satisfaction-in-second-place-at-milan-san-remo 22 March 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015 John Degenkolb (GIA 2015) came around him in the final 50 m to take the race win, the first monument win of his career. Kristoff finished second, while Matthews beat Sagan to third place. Results Result 1 John Degenkolb GER GIA 2015 6h 46' 16" 2 Alexander Kristoff NOR KAT 2015 + 0" 3 Michael Matthews AUS OGE 2015 + 0" 4 Peter Sagan SVK TTS 2015 + 0" 5 Niccolò Bonifazio ITA LAM 2015 + 0" 6 Nacer Bouhanni FRA COF 2015 + 0" 7 Fabian Cancellara SUI TFR 2015 + 0" 8 Davide Cimolai ITA LAM 2015 + 0" 9 Tony Gallopin FRA LTB 2015 + 0" 10 Edvald Boasson Hagen NOR MTN 2015 + 0" Post-race analysis Reactions After the race, Degenkolb contrasted his tears of frustration at his eighteenth place in the 2014 race to the tears of joy that followed his victory in 2015. He attributed his win in part to the fact that he was not seen as a favourite, and he gave credit to his teammates Bert De Backer and Tom Dumoulin for their assistance during the race.Farrand Stephen Degenkolb sheds tears of joy after Milan-San Remo win http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/degenkolb-sheds-tears-of-joy-after-milan-san-remo-win 19 April 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015 Degenkolb described it as "the best day in [his] cycling career", as it was his first victory in one of the cycling monuments (he won a second the following month at Paris–Roubaix).Brown Gregor Degenkolb has his monumental day in Sanremo http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/degenkolb-has-his-monumental-day-in-sanremo_364220 19 April 2015 VeloNews 23 March 2015 20 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150420002958/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/degenkolb-has-his-monumental-day-in-sanremo_364220 deadWindsor Richard John Degenkolb wins the 2015 Paris-Roubaix http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/john-degenkolb-wins-the-2015-paris-roubaix-166216 19 April 2015 Cycling Weekly 12 April 2015 Kristoff, meanwhile, expressed disappointment with his second-place finish and his failure to defend his 2014 title. He suggested that another rider in the final part of the race could have given a better result, as Paolini's tiredness after a long spell at the front of the race meant that Kristoff had to start his sprint too early.Farrand Stephen Kristoff tries to find satisfaction in second place at Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kristoff-tries-to-find-satisfaction-in-second-place-at-milan-san-remo 19 April 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015 Michael Matthews' third-place finish was the most significant result of his career, but he too was disappointed at having fallen short, after feeling strong on the climb of the Poggio.O'Shea Sadhbh Matthews disappointed to miss victory at Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matthews-disappointed-to-miss-victory-at-milan-san-remo 19 April 2015 Cyclingnews.com 22 March 2015 UCI World Tour rankings Thanks to the 100 points won in the race, Degenkolb moved into fourth place in the UCI World Tour rankings. His total of 102 points left him 96 points behind the leader, Richie Porte (SKY 2015 y). Matthews and Kristoff also moved into the top ten. SKY 2015 y and Australia retained their leads in the teams and nations rankings.Wynn Nigel Richie Porte and Team Sky still top WorldTour rankings after Milan-San Remo http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/richie-porte-and-team-sky-still-top-worldtour-rankings-after-milan-san-remo-163215 19 April 2015 Cycling Weekly 23 March 2015For individual rankings, see UCI WorldTour Ranking - 2015 http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12146&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1186645&Phase1ID%3D1186650&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?443996 UCI.ch UCI 19 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150419191701/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D102007%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D24055%26SeasonID%3D488%26EventID%3D12146%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26EventPhaseID%3D1186645%26Phase1ID%3D1186650%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26Cache%3D2.html?443996 19 April 2015 22 March 2015 dead For team rankings, see UCI WorldTour Ranking - 2015 http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12145&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1149477&Phase1ID%3D1168765&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?53524 UCI.ch UCI 19 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150419191855/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D102007%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D24055%26SeasonID%3D488%26EventID%3D12145%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26EventPhaseID%3D1149477%26Phase1ID%3D1168765%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26Cache%3D2.html?53524 19 April 2015 22 March 2015 dead For nations rankings, see UCI WorldTour Ranking - 2015 http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D102007&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D24055&SeasonID%3D488&EventID%3D12147&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&EventPhaseID%3D1186646&Phase1ID%3D1186683&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&Cache%3D2.html?779369 UCI.ch UCI 19 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150419192051/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D102007%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D24055%26SeasonID%3D488%26EventID%3D12147%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26EventPhaseID%3D1186646%26Phase1ID%3D1186683%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26Cache%3D2.html?779369 19 April 2015 22 March 2015 dead UCI World Tour individual rankings yes 1 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2015 198 2 Rohan Dennis AUS BMC 2015 114 3 Nairo Quintana COL MOV 2015 106 4 John Degenkolb GER GIA 2015 106 5 Michał Kwiatkowski POL EQS 2015 89 6 Alexander Kristoff NOR KAT 2015 87 7 Bauke Mollema NED TFR 2015 84 8 Michael Matthews AUS OGE 2015 79 9 Simon Špilak SLO KAT 2015 78 10 Cadel Evans AUS BMC 2015 76 References External links http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/MilanoSanremo/en/ Milano Sanremo 2015 (Official Guide) http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/MilanoSanremo/2011/it/download/Milano-Sanremo-2015.pdf lagazzetta.it 21 March 2015 RCS 2015 RCS 2015 Category:Milan–San Remo Category:21st century in Lombardy Category:21st century in Liguria Milan-San Remo Milan-San Remo Milan-San Remo