Already nicknamed 'la Primavera' by the French, the Milan-Sanremo is the first true monument classic of the season. And also the most unpredictable: throughout its more than century-long history it has opened its doors to great champions, but also to perfect unknowns. For the second year in a row the race will run from Pavia to the iconic finish line on Via Roma, the distance is 298 kilometers, nine more than last year's edition, the difficulties are a classic: the Turchino pass after the Po Valley, then the sequence of Ligurian capes (Mele, Cervo and Berta) before the finale with Cipressa and Poggio. Once a confrontation between big names, but due to choices or injuries this Sanremo is missing important pieces like Vingegaard, Evenepoel and Matthews. Italy with 51 victories leads the ranking of who has won the most editions, but in the last 19 years it has only won once, with Vincenzo Nibali in 2018. Here are the ten faces that are candidates for the honor roll.

Mathieu Van der Poel. He wins because this is one of the classics that suits him best, because he has already won it twice and knows how it's done, because in case of a tight sprint he has a better acceleration on his side. He doesn't win because the law of large numbers applies even to the strongest.

Tadej Pogacar. He wins because he is at a higher level than the others, because inside his head he has been racing this classic for five months, because chasing a victory that eludes him is his powerful motivation. He doesn't win because on a course like this it's hard even for him to drop everyone.

Filippo Ganna. He wins because this is one of the classics suited to his abilities, because he has finished on the podium in two of his last three participations, because he has already proven he can withstand the assault of the phenomena. He doesn't win because at Tirreno, despite winning the time trial, he didn't appear brilliant.

Jasper Philipsen. He wins because he is the only sprinter who has managed to do it in the last ten years, because he is the best sprinter at handling the climbs, because at Tirreno he kept a low profile. He doesn't win because the other favorites could make Cipressa and Poggio indigestible even for him.

Isaac Del Toro. He wins because he has started the season as a dominator, because he is strong not only on climbs but also on the passes, because in case Pogacar falters he is ready to play the lead role. He doesn't win because he will have to spend all his energy acting as a domestique for Pogacar.

Wout Van Aert. He wins because spring classics are his bread and butter, because courses like this excite him, because in six participations he has won once and has never finished outside the top eight in the others. He doesn't win because he seems to have fewer horsepower compared to the more powerful engines.

Tom Pidcock. He wins because he is suited to this classic, because so far he has been a protagonist without overexerting himself, because if he crests the Poggio in the front positions it becomes complicated to stay on his wheel on the descent. He doesn't win because in long races he often lacks that final bit to make the difference.

Matteo Jorgenson. He wins because he has started his season always racing in the front line, because on a course like this it's difficult to shake him off, because this is the first time he can play his own cards. He doesn't win because long races often go sideways for him.

Matteo Trentin. He wins because he is one of those who often finishes with the best in this classic, because beyond strength and endurance he has experience on his side, because he is one of those who gets talked about little and is always there in the end. He doesn't win because finishing regularly is not a guarantee of success.

Romain Gregoire. He wins because he has been racing as a protagonist since the start of the season, because at 23 years old he already has considerable experience, because to confirm himself as a great hope for France important results are needed. He doesn't win because so far in the great classics he has done well but not very well.