The demands of Milan-Sanremo often dictate that the winner is one who can both climb solidly and sprint strongly; it’s not necessary to be a specialist climber, but ascents such as the Cipressa and the Poggio ensure that those who are weak will be dropped before the crucial sprint in Milan.
When on good form, Edvald Boasson Hagen fulfils the requirements. This season he finished second overall in the Tour of Oman and won the points classification, but has been a little quieter of late due to an Achilles tendon niggle at Tirreno-Adriatico. Despite that, he’s determined to try to make a mark on today’s race.
“It's always been one of my early-season targets,” he said. “And it's nice to know that the team are behind me. We have a really strong squad here and the goal has got to be for me to go out there and try and get a win.
“I have ridden the race two times before and it's one which I like a lot. It's long and tough and has a big history, so it's one I definitely want to do well in. There is a lot of pressure that comes with that, and I feel it for sure, but all I can do is go out there and give it my best shot.”
Boasson Hagen first competed in the race in 2009, placing 94th. He was 106th last year, and so he hasn’t yet been close to fighting for the victory. He wants that to change this year.
Fortunately, he feels like he is fully over the problem which affected him in the run-up to the race. “My Achilles is feeling good now and I am ready and looking forward to the race,” he said. “I first felt a twinge during the opening stage of Tirreno and I hoped it would go away, but it didn’t, so I took the decision to pull out of the race last Sunday.
“It was my choice to stop because I didn't want to push myself and do more damage than I already had. With the problems I experienced in my opposite leg last year, I could sense the warning signs and didn't want to jeopardise the rest of my season.”
He’s taken things steadily since then, doing some light solo rides in the days after his withdrawal, receiving off-the-bike treatment, and then more recently resuming training with the team. He’s certainly drawing on freshness rather than sharpness; the hours ahead will determine if the former outweighs the latter sufficiently well to translate into a big result.
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Sky Procycling team for Milan-Sanremo:
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Juan Antonio Flecha
Thomas Löfkvist
Michael Rogers
Ian Stannard
Geraint Thomas
Bradley Wiggins