The women’s version of Milan-San Remo is set to make its long-awaited return after a 20-year hiatus, with a new route and a date shared with the men’s race, scheduled for March 22. The event will start in Genoa and cover a total distance of 156 kilometers, concluding with the iconic Cipressa and Poggio climbs.
The announcement was made at a press event in Genoa on Wednesday, marking a historic moment for women’s cycling. Previously known as the Primavera Classic, the race ran from 1999 to 2005 before taking a break. This year’s edition will coincide with the men’s Milan-San Remo, adding to the excitement of the cycling season.
While the men’s race traditionally starts in Pavia, the women’s race will begin in Genoa, making a slight deviation from the familiar route. Despite this, the routes will closely align for the final 140 kilometers. This means that San Remo Women will not be the longest WorldTour race of the year, as is the case with the men’s Milan-San Remo, with last year’s women’s Tour of Flanders stretching to 163 kilometers.
As the race heads towards the Ligurian coast, riders will face the famous run-in to San Remo, tackling the three Capos—Capo Mele, Capo Cervo, and Capo Berta—before the tough Cipressa (5.6km at 4.1%) and Poggio (3.7km at 3.7%) climbs. The final descent will be crucial as riders sprint towards the finish line.
It’s important to note that the race will officially be named San Remo Women, not Milan-San Remo, as it begins in Genoa rather than Milan.
Mauro Vegni, Director of Cycling for RCS Sport, expressed pride in bringing the prestigious event back to the calendar. “We are proud to offer the world’s best female athletes a unique challenge worthy of this race’s rich history,” Vegni said.
Giusy Virelli, Director of San Remo Women, highlighted the significance of the race’s return. “The return of San Remo Women is an important milestone for women’s cycling, a growing force in both the sport and within the broader Italian sporting community. This race is a key step in giving women’s cycling the global recognition it deserves.”
The race is already drawing attention from top riders, with World Champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez), and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) confirmed to compete in the inaugural edition of the revamped event.
British champion Pfeiffer Georgi, in a recent column for Cycling Weekly, expressed hopes for an even longer race, ideally hitting the 200km mark. “One of my first wishes is that it will be our longest race. Personally, I think it would be exciting to see it reach at least 200km. While not every race needs to be longer, for Milan-San Remo, I believe it could bring unexpected results with the extended distance,” Georgi said. “With most races averaging three to four hours, a race over five hours could certainly favor different riders.”
Under UCI regulations, the maximum length for a Women’s WorldTour one-day event is typically 160km, although exceptions have been made in the past. Despite this, the 156km course for San Remo Women promises to deliver a thrilling challenge for competitors.
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