Tadej Pogačar Conquers Elusive Milano-Sanremo in Dramatic Fashion
London, 23 March 2026 – Tadej Pogačar has added the final, missing piece to his Monument collection, winning the 2026 Milano-Sanremo in extraordinary circumstances. The Slovenian world champion overcame a crash inside the final 40 kilometres to outsprint Britain’s Tom Pidcock in a thrilling two-man duel on the Via Roma, claiming his 11th Monument victory and his first in the Italian Classic.
A Victory Forged in Adversity
The race was turned on its head when Pogačar, the pre-race favourite, crashed on the approach to the Cipressa climb. Undeterred, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader remounted and launched a blistering attack on the Poggio, the race’s final climb. He was joined only by Tom Pidcock, with the pair building a decisive gap. In a nail-biting sprint, Pogačar edged Pidcock by half a wheel to secure a victory that had eluded him for years, having finished fifth, fourth, and third in the three previous editions.
Key Facts: Pogačar’s Monumental Career
Following his historic win, Pogačar’s status as one of the sport’s all-time greats is further cemented. The table below outlines his core achievements from verified sources.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Slovenian |
| Current Team | UAE Team Emirates – XRG |
| Grand Tour Wins | Tour de France (multiple), Giro d’Italia |
| World Championships | Road Race World Champion (2024, 2025) |
| Monument Wins | 11 (Including Il Lombardia, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Tour of Flanders, and now Milano-Sanremo) |
| Historic Feat | First male cyclist to win the Tour de France and World Championship road race in two successive years (2024, 2025) |
The Road Ahead
With Milano-Sanremo now checked off, speculation immediately turns to the one major classic still absent from Pogačar’s palmarès: Paris-Roubaix. The “Hell of the North” presents a unique challenge of cobbles and chaos, a test the Slovenian has yet to fully embrace. His victory in Sanremo, achieved through resilience after a crash, only fuels the belief that he is capable of completing the unprecedented feat of winning all five Monuments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Monuments has Tadej Pogačar now won?
With his victory at the 2026 Milano-Sanremo, Tadej Pogačar has now won 11 Monument classics. He has triumphed in four of the five different Monuments, with only Paris-Roubaix remaining.
Which team does Tadej Pogačar ride for?
Pogačar rides for the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates (listed as UAE Team Emirates – XRG in race registrations). He has been with the team since the start of his professional career.
What is Tadej Pogačar’s next major goal?
While his spring campaign may continue, the primary focus of his season will be the Tour de France, where he will aim to add to his multiple overall victories. The question of a first attempt at winning Paris-Roubaix to complete the set of Monuments remains a major point of discussion for future seasons.