All eyes aren’t just on the start list ahead of Milan-San Remo—they’re glued to weather maps. According to Sporza, teams have been obsessively refreshing forecasts this week, knowing the wind could shape the race as much as the riders themselves.
Given the relatively “easy” parcours, weather can greatly affect La Primavera. The Cipressa and Poggio are fast climbs, but not selective enough on their own.
The wind factor
That’s where the wind comes in. A strong headwind can neutralize attacks, making it easier for riders to sit in the slipstream and conserve energy. In those conditions, even the most explosive moves can stall out before they create real gaps.
BAD NEWS FOR TADEJ
For the finale of Milano–Sanremo, a 15 km/h headwind is forecast, which could significantly complicate any solo attack on the Cipressa.
But could it actually turn into an advantage later on for Pogi? Or there is a chance we will see a sprint of a bigger group… pic.twitter.com/n5qCOjwtqL
— Lukáš Ronald Lukács (@lucasaganronald) March 20, 2026
On Cycling Twitter ™, many were doing the same–and it appears, as of Friday, that indeed, there may be a head/crosswind on the Cipressa. In 2025 it was a tailwind. Last year, the world champ tried to make a move on the Poggio–and almost dropped the ultimate winner, Mathieu van der Poel–but didn’t. After the race, the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider said he “died a thousand deaths” trying to hold onto the UAE Emirates rider.
Going earlier than 2025?
For Pogi, a headwind is bad news. He thrives on aggression and long-range efforts, and his team will be hoping for a tailwind instead. With the wind at their backs, the benefit of drafting shrinks, increasing the chances that a well-timed attack, possibly on the Cipressa, sticks. And by “possibly,” it sounds like it’s the worst kept secret–everyone seems to think/know that he will have his team set a blistering pace and launch there.
The problem? The forecasts have been all over the place. Early in the week, strong winds were predicted, a day later, they eased. Now, shifting patterns suggest the direction could even change mid-race, complicating tactics further.
In a race where timing is everything, Pogacar may need more than just strong legs—he might need the weather to cooperate too. He may be one of the greatest riders of all time, and his team certainly has oodles of cash, but whether a weather machine is included in their team bus, remains to be…
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