Italian champion Vincenzo Nibali arrived solo on Via Roma’s finish line after having attacked on Poggio and started the rush into Sanremo only 12 seconds ahead of his pursuers.
“I’m not a fast rider, I had to invent something,” Nibali said on the podium of the 109th edition of the race.
“I attacked,” said Nibali, “also to favor Sonny Colbrelli (then 9th overall) who was feeling very well. At one point, I turned round and I saw that I had a good advantage and so I persisted “.
“The most difficult moment was the last 2 kilometers: I never turned back and on the radio the sport director Alberto Volpi was saying ’10/11 seconds, push, push’. I only thought about giving everything I had. When I was with 50 meters to go I looked back and I enjoyed the moment!”
“I arrived at this “San Remo” with so much tranquility, I knew that I had finished the Tirreno-Adriatico in growth and this morning I had confidence. You do not win alone and for this I have to thank all my teammates for the great work of today. They were fundamental.”
“This morning Vincenzo had that expression that he has usually before his great victories,” commented Bahrain-Merida Head of Performance Paolo Slongo. “The season did not start as we wanted, but in these two months Vincenzo has worked hard and today’s result confirms it.”
Close Second for Caleb Ewan
Caleb Ewan came devastatingly close to his first monument victory for Mitchelton-SCOTT today, sprinting to second place as the race came alive over the Poggio climb.
A strong team performance from Mitchelton-SCOTT saw Ewan protected and cresting the key climbs of the Cipressa and the Poggio in a strong position at the front of the bunch before Nibali’s attack blew the race apart.
2018 Milan – San Remo Brief Results:
- Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida at 7:18:43
- Caleb Ewan (Aus) Mitchelton-Scott s.t.
- Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ s.t.
- Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates s.t.
- Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) BMC Racing Team s.t.
- Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t.
- Michael Matthews (Aus) Team Sunweb s.t.
- Magnus Cort (Den) Astana Pro Team s.t.
- Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain-Merida s.t.
- Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo s.t.
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