G4 at the races: Milan-Sanremo

Or, given the amount of rain that fell yesterday, should that not be Sanraimo? Here’s what Sanremo looked like just after 11:00am yesterday morning: blue sky but you could see the clouds gathering over the hills.

First things first. No trip to an Italian race is complete without La Gazzetta and a strong shot of caffeine. The pink paper’s pre-race coverage extended to four pages and it’s odds-on favourite, with five stars, was Cannondale’s Peter Sagan. The eventual winner Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) merited only two. But that’s cycling – difficult to predict for professional and amateur punters alike.

An important consideration at any race is finding a good place to stand, ideally within sight of a television screen and the finish line. Unless the parcours finishes with circuits, you’re going to watch the race unfold on the big screen and only see the riders as they flash across the finish in a blur.

Almost on cue, at 14:00, the heavens opened and we were treated to a downpour of epic proportions – thunder and lightening – the works. Haven was sought in the relative comfort of the press room until the rain was more of a drizzle, at around 16:00.

The riders meanwhile got wetter and colder. Wily old foxes like Luca Paolini (Katusha) were seen pouring hot tea over their hands to warm them. At the finish line, many riders reported finding this year’s conditions even more difficult than last year’s blizzard.

The rain started to ease and the tribunes were packed at the finish line as everyone anxiously scanned the big screen looking for their favourite rider. The Italians had plenty to cheer with Vincenzo Nibali’s (Astana) attack on the Cipressa but he was caught and there was a select bunch up front containing a number of the pre-race favourites.

Spectators, well-wrapped up against the inclement weather, waited just past the finish line hoping for a glimpse of the winner – who would it be?

Cannondale’s Fabrice and G4’s Geoffroy compared notes.

The riders screamed over the finish line cold, wet and blackened with dirt and road grease.

That’s right, we don’t have any photos of the racing, we leave that to the pros. We suggest you check out those from www.cannondaleprocycling.com/gallery/milano-sanremo-the-race/">Cannondale Pro Cycling and from Peloton Magazine.