For fans, Milan-San Remo is all about perspective. It’s either the longest day of the year, or the most exciting half-hour of cycling you could dream of.
The 2024 Milan-San Remo followed a similar pattern to previous editions; the slow build, intensifying and finally exploding in the final minutes. Added to this was the excitement of Tadej Pogačar doing all he could to win his sixth monument and the infernal pace of the peloton over the 288 kilometres.
The race is characterised by the route’s charming Italian villages, the strikingly beautiful Mediterranean coast and its classic finish on the Via Roma in San Remo. Here are the best images from the first monument of the season.
One man was attracting lots of attention at the start in Pavia.
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) with a focussed demeanour as he made his way to sign on.
World champion Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) waiting to make his season debut.
Australian Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla) would go on to take his best result at La Primavera.
Tadej Pogacar bore the weight of great expectation ahead of the race start
Young Mexican Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) was expected to play a key role supporting Tadej Pogačar.
Home favourite Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
The peloton riding through a village in an early part of the race.
The breakaway on its way towards the Mediterranean.
The peloton put on a solid pace all day, never letting the break get more than three minutes.
Groupama-FDJ speed through a town, all working to support leader and monument debutant Laurence Pithie.
The breakaway was full of experienced Italian baroudeurs, including four-time Milan-San Remo attacker Alessandro Tonelli (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizané)
The sea air becomes more evident for the riders as they head towards the Passo del Turchino.
Van der Poel's Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate Silvan Dillier (left) spent most of the day on the front of the bunch.
The breakaway worked well together all day, making it as far as the Cipressa.
Fans enjoyed the spectacle on a pleasant spring day.
The peloton strung out with Dillier still at the head.
After 150 kilometres, the finale looms closer as the peloton finally makes it to the Mediterranean coastline.
UAE Team Emirates turned up the pace on the Cipressa through Isaac del Toro.
After 288 kilometres of racing, the sprint is launched on the Via Roma.
Victory for Philipsen. Heartbreak for Matthews.
The Belgian celebrates his win with the team.
The disappointment was etched on Matthews' face.
Pogačar did all he could, but had to settle for third.
Selfie time for the three friends on the podium.
After a long day in the saddle, it's time to celebrate.
Philipsen proudly holds the trophy after winning his first monument.