Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe pull another Slovenian rabbit out of the hat with Primož Roglič for Milano-Sanremo
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Follow us on GoogleRemarkable news has emerged from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe: Primož Roglič will line up for Milano-Sanremo on Saturday. The news was revealed by co-leader Laurence Pithie in the team’s race preview for La Primavera, where the New Zealander also explained how the German squad hopes to approach the opening Monument of the season.
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Pithie spent some time living in Nice and is therefore part of the large group of riders who know the roads around Sanremo well. Still, he was careful not to overplay that familiarity. “I don’t train out here too much,” he said, “but we’ve done some recons in the past. They’re nice climbs and I like them,” referring to the Cipressa and the Poggio.
The 23-year-old has already shown strong form this spring, producing solid rides during Opening Weekend and Paris-Nice, and he now hopes to carry that level into one of cycling’s biggest one-day races. His comments also offered the clearest indication yet that Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe intend to play multiple cards in Sanremo, with Roglič and Giulio Pellizzari both part of the plan.
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Pithie looks ahead to Milano-Sanremo
“It’s got to be the Cipressa,” Pithie said when asked where the race is likely to be decided. “It was last year as well, when Pogačar went, and I think they’ll probably have the same goal this year. Our plan will be to follow that move if we can with Primož and Giulio.”
He also outlined his own role in the finale. “For me, it’s to see where I’m at and try to be there. And if it comes back for a sprint, then sprint for the best result possible. Positioning into the Cipressa is going to be the most important. If I can be there, then I’ll try to follow.”
Pithie knows better than most that Milano-Sanremo is one of the hardest races on the calendar to fully read. “I think Sanremo is a hard race to understand, and it’s always changing,” he said. “With Pogačar trying to go full gas on the Cipressa, it used to be more of a sprinter’s race but now you really have to climb well. I don’t think you can ever fully understand the race, to be honest, but for sure the positioning is very important.”
“A good race for us would be one of the guys being able to follow,” he said. “And if they can’t, then me trying to finish it off in a sprint after getting over the Cipressa and Poggio in the front group.” Looking at his own ambitions, Pithie was equally honest: “A successful Milano-Sanremo for me personally would be top five, to be honest. I think I’ve shown some good form. It’s a race I really like. It’s a big goal, but top five in a Monument is also no mean feat.”
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Pithie has started the season strongly
“I've been chasing a win since the start of the season,” Pithie reflects on his first few weeks of the 2026 season. “I've come close a few times, and that second-place finish definitely motivates me to fight for more. I think I just need a little luck and for everything to fall into place. Hopefully, the win won't be far off.”
“Physically, I’m stronger this year. We had a very good training period during the preseason, and I’ve worked hard to be in top form from the start of the year through the end of the classics. That teamwork helps enormously. We started this season with big goals. We work very well together, and everyone clearly understands what the goals are and how we can achieve them.”
It is not yet known who else will be in the German team’s roster alongside Roglic, Pellizzari, and Pithie.
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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