It’s the Wednesday before Milan-San Remo, which means it’s time for the ragazzi in Italy to do a little bit of a midweek opener. Milano-Torino is a long run-in and then two trips up the Superga climb which is where the race properly starts. The early kilometres from Rho into Turin are straightforward, so most teams will just keep things under control and save everything for the final circuit.
That first climb usually softens things up, but it’s the second ascent, steep and steady, where gaps open. Timing matters. Go too early and you’re exposed in the valley; wait too long and it’s good night Irene.
Roglič, Pidock, or Gee-West?
With Isaac Del Toro not back to defend, it feels a bit more open. Tom Pidcock should like this finish, while Primož Roglič could also be a factor. Lidl-Trek’s Derek Gee-West will be there. After a loooong break from racing (because, well, you know) he returned at the UAE Tour with his new team, and ended up 7th overall.
As he continues to get more race miles in, he should be ready for a good ride at the Giro d’Italia. He had his breakout ride there back in 2023, and since then, he’s become one of the big GC riders in the pro peloton.
Milano-Torino–where Gee-West’s former teammate Mike Woods has done very well – is usually a straightforward race, until the last 5 km. Maybe the national champ can do what Woodsy did back in 2019? You can catch the action on FloBikes.com starting at 9:20 a.m. EDT.
Coles-Lyster at Nokere Koerse
Meanwhile, in Belgium, there’s the Nokere Koerse. All eyes are on Lotte Kopecky, who has yet to show her dominant form in 2026 and will be eager to gain confidence ahead of the spring Classics. A sprint finish could open the door for strong challengers, including Human Powered Health’s Maggie Coles-Lyster. She’s already taken her first pro win in Australia earlier this year.
The 26-year-old from Maple Ridge, B.C. took the dub at the Santos Tour Down Under Women’s One Day Race, just 192 days after undergoing surgery for Flow Limitation of the Iliac Artery (FLIA). It was a long road to recovery, but she’s shown that her sprint is right up there with the best in the pack. Other Canadians racing in Belgium include Mayenne Monbana My Pie’s Kiara Lylyk, national champ Alison Jackson (St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93) and Minimax Cycling Team’s Emilie Fortin.
A day for Guillemette?
Another fastman to watch is Tudor Pro Cycling’s Mathias Guillemette. Like…
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