Milano-Sanremo is one of the biggest cycling races of the year, and later today I’ll be glued to my TV for first the women’s and then the men’s journeys.

I don’t understand the history of gender issues, and why men still dominate the world.  Yes, the physiology of the two sexes is different but why have men been labelled Number 1 and women Number 2?

Today’s editon of Milano-Sanremo will be the 116th for the men … and 1st for the women!  It’s been such a struggle for so many committed people to bring Milano-Sanremo Women into existence.

And consider the distances: 156 kilometres for the women, 289 for the men.  “The weaker sex?”  Nonsense. 

Plus even the names of the races: Milano-Sanremo and Milano-Sanremo Women.  In the first case, the word “Men” needs to be added.

***

Okay, enough of the speech.

I love stuff that’s brand new.  Such as today’s women’s race.  The riders appreciate that March 22, 2025 will be a date in cycling history:

I’m definitely feeling really lucky to be part of this historical return of San Remo, there’s barely a big name missing from the start list, other than Anna van der Breggen, I think, so I’m really excited.

(Cat Ferguson)

[A women’s race called La Primavera Rosa was held along essentially the same route from 1999 till 2005]

I think [having a women’s Sanremo] is a big achievement.  Honestly, in the last five years, we were really fighting for a full calendar and now I think we miss only a few races and this one is a really important one.  Everyone wants to win on Saturday because you can be in the history winning Sanremo, especially after 20 years without the race, so I think it’s going to be a big fight.

(Elisa Balsamo)

SMILE cause we are racing Milano-Sanremo Donne tomorrow!!!!!  I’m beyond grateful for experiencing the change, the growth and development of women’s cycling!  It’s been such a fulfilling journey and to be having more opportunities to race the Monuments [the most historic and prestigious races] – races with a big history – means a world to us!!

(Kasia Niewiadoma)

It’s incredible to be part of this special moment for the modern women’s peloton and, honestly, last year I could not have imagined being here.  I have really been reminded of how much I love cycling, and I know, even though it’s going to be hard, I will enjoy every moment of the race on Saturday.

(Shirin van Anrooij)

As an Italian and the Italian champion, it will be an honour for me to take part in this race, which has a unique charm.  Sanremo is something special, part of cycling history, and I think racing it, tackling those legendary roads, will be an incredible experience for all of us.

(Elisa Longo Borghini)

***

It’s time to wake up

Women and men

Men and women