The introduction of the Poggio and Cipressa climbs in Milano-Sanremo significantly altered the race’s dynamics, adding complexity, strategy, and a heightened sense of excitement. Each of these climbs introduced new challenges and opportunities for riders, fundamentally changing how the race was contested. Before their inclusion, Milano-Sanremo was known for its long distance and relatively flat route, with a few minor climbs, but the introduction of these two iconic ascents added a much-needed element of difficulty and unpredictability to the race.
The Poggio di San Remo, which was added to the race route in 1960, became one of the defining features of Milano-Sanremo. This short but steep climb, situated just 6 kilometers from the finish line, immediately made a lasting impact on the race. Unlike the earlier climbs, which were often positioned in the middle of the route, the Poggio came late in the race, at a time when many riders were fatigued from the long distance. The climb was steep enough to cause significant gaps between the riders, and its proximity to the finish line meant that the tactics and decisions made on the Poggio would often determine the outcome of the race.
Before the Poggio, the final stretch of the Milano-Sanremo was usually a long sprint to the finish line, with the strongest sprinters often prevailing. The introduction of the Poggio changed that dynamic by allowing attackers to break away from the pack, opening the door for climbers and strong riders with good tactics to make a move. Those who could climb the Poggio quickly and hold on during the descent could create a gap that would prove difficult for the sprinters to close. This shift in dynamics allowed for more unpredictable finishes, with breakaways becoming a more common feature in the final kilometers of the race.
The Poggio also added a more dramatic dimension to the race. The climb is short but steep, with sections reaching gradients of over 8%. This made it a perfect launching pad for late attacks, and it became the defining point of the race, with many Milano-Sanremo victories being decided by who could make it over the Poggio with enough energy to stay ahead during the subsequent descent.
Riders who excelled on the Poggio were often those with a combination of climbing ability and sprinting power, as they needed to push hard up the climb and then recover quickly for the flat run-in to the finish. The Poggio's inclusion marked the start of a new era in Milano-Sanremo, where a race of pure speed would no longer be the sole determinant of the winner. Instead, strategic riders who could anticipate the right moment to attack on the climb had a greater chance of claiming victory.
The Cipressa, introduced in 1983, further revolutionized the dynamics of Milano-Sanremo by adding an earlier, more challenging climb to the route. Positioned roughly 25 kilometers from the finish line, the Cipressa is a longer and more gradual climb than the Poggio, but it’s still steep enough to split the peloton and force riders to use their energy early in the race. The Cipressa gave a new layer of tactical depth to Milano-Sanremo, as it now became possible for riders to launch an attack long before the final stages, creating a more dynamic and strategic race.
The Cipressa became an important point for the breakaway specialists. Its inclusion meant that riders could no longer wait until the Poggio to make their move; they had to be proactive earlier in the race. The Cipressa forced the peloton to work harder in the middle of the race, splitting the field into smaller groups. It also changed the way the sprinters approached the race. Before the Cipressa, sprinters could conserve their energy, knowing that a sprint finish was likely. With the Cipressa in play, the sprinters had to contend with more attacks, as stronger riders could take advantage of the climb to put distance between themselves and the pack. This, in turn, made the race more unpredictable and opened up new strategies for both breakaway riders and sprinters.
The Cipressa also played a key role in changing the way teams worked together. The early climb required careful teamwork, as teams with sprinters had to manage the peloton and control any breakaways before the climb, ensuring their leader remained in contention for the final sprint. On the other hand, riders with a more versatile skill set, able to climb both the Cipressa and the Poggio, became more valuable. These riders would attack after the Cipressa, attempting to break away before the final climb to the Poggio, hoping to gain enough time to stay away from the sprinters in the finale.
The Cipressa made Milano-Sanremo more of a race of attrition, where the strength and stamina required to perform well in the final kilometers was built upon the foundation of managing the climbs earlier in the race. The addition of the Cipressa, combined with the Poggio, increased the importance of climbers and versatile riders, making Milano-Sanremo less of a pure sprinter’s race and giving opportunities to those who could cope with the race’s increased difficulty
Introducing Poggio and later Cipressa to Milano-Sanremo were important milestones in the history of the race. But there was an even bigger one, obviously, the first ever held Milano-Sanremo in 1907.
Read the story of the very first Milano-Sanremo
As you might expect from a cycling event held in the heyday of road cycling competitions, its story is full with fascinating elements