The moment when Filippo Ganna's race was over. Looked like he hit a pothole, don't know if he punctured or had a problem with his gears. 😢 With both him and Pidcock in the last 2 km, Ineos had a VERY big chance to win this. #MilanoSanremo
Crucial moment in the race? Strava caption by Ganna - who was fastest on the Poggio - says it all
CyclingSaturday, 16 March 2024 at 14:03
Tom Pidcock, representing INEOS Grenadiers, seemed on his way to victory in Milan-San Remo with a strong attack in the final kilometer, but Mathieu van der Poel had other ideas. The other team leader of the British squad, Filippo Ganna, was the most unlucky rider of the day.
Julian Alaphilippe - who had a flat tire in the final kilometer but ultimately finished ninth - was also a nominee for that unfortunate accolade, but in the end, we give it to Ganna. The man from Verbania completed the Poggio alongside Tadej Pogacar, Van der Poel and Alberto Bettiol in 5 minutes and 31 seconds, but a malfunction after hitting a pothole on the descent meant Ganna’s chances were dashed.
At that moment, the INEOS Grenadiers rider was in fourth position, just behind teammate Pidcock. The Brit was the first to bridge forward, so the men from the British team could have played the rest of the race as a duo. The fact that Ganna's Strava file is captioned "🤬🤬🤬🤬" is therefore hardly surprising.
On Instagram, the Italian, who eventually finished fortieth, was more subdued. "Another beautiful and fast Milan-San Remo is in the books. The legs were there, although luck wasn't on my side, but that's cycling. Thank you to all my teammates for the great work today, and to everyone along the side of the road for the support. I hope to see you all again in 2025!"
Pidcock: "Hard to get everything right"
Pidcock provided a brief comment to Cyclingnews after being caught in the final kilometer. "I think it's a really difficult final to get right, because you essentially always need to be in the perfect position. In this scenario, what I did didn't really work out. But maybe in another year, then I could win. In this final, you just have to go with your instincts and that's kind of the best I can do. I'd love to come back and win some day."
Il Lombardia 2024
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024