Team Sky reveal Milan-San Remo line-up: Michal Kwiatkowski to lead with surprise pick for Luke Rowe
Kwiatkowski aims to become the first rider since 2001 to successfully defend Milan-San Remo
Team Sky have revealed the seven riders who will represent the team at Milan-San Remo, including defending champion Michal Kwiatkowski, with Luke Rowe riding the longest race in the cycling calendar just seven months after a career-threatening leg injury.
Kwiatkowski will have the number one on his back having won the race in 2017 with a tactically astute ride to follow Peter Sagan's attack over the Poggio and then out-sprint the Slovak on the Via Rom in San Remo.
The Polish rider will be hoping to become the first rider since Erik Zabel in 2001 to successfully defend Milan-San Remo, and looks to be in impressive form having taken victory in the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race earlier this week.
>>> Milan-San Remo 2018: Start list, route, TV guide, and everything else you need to know
"I think Tirreno-Adriatico is the best preparation for this race, I am always motivated to ride well in Milan-San Remo and I know how lucky you need to be in the end to be victorious," Kwiatkowski said.
"With a Milan-San Remo win under my belt the pressure will be less as I don’t have to prove anything. I just need to feel good, ride a good race and we know with San Remo that you also need to be lucky too.
"I have worked hard to be in good condition for Strade Bianche, Tirreno and let’s hope at Milan-San Remo too."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alongside Kwiatkowski will be Ian Stannard, who finished sixth in the race in 2013, and Gianni Moscon, who was in the chasing group behind Kwiatkowski last year, but the big surprise is the inclusion of Luke Rowe.
>>> Peter Sagan: 'If I win Milan-San Remo like Kwiatkowski, I'm not happy'
Rowe will be taking to the start line of the longest race in the cycling calendar just seven months after breaking his leg in more than 20 places while whitewater rafting on his brother's stag party.
The Welshman had been expected to miss most of the 2018 season, but has impressed with his recovery, returning to action at the Abu Dhabi Tour in February, then putting in an aggressive ride at Nokere Koerse on Wednesday which could well have secured his place in the team.
Completing Team Sky's line-up are Salvatore Puccio, Dylan van Baarle, and Kwiatkowski's fellow Pole Lukasz Wisniowski.
Team Sky line-up for Milan-San Remo 2018
Michal Kwiatkowski
Gianni Moscon
Salvatore Puccio
Luke Rowe
Ian Stannard
Lukasz Wisniowski
Dylan van Baarle
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
‘It’s super special’ - Tadej Pogačar on taking his sixth Monument victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
The UAE Team Emirates rider took a dominant victory at La Doyenne with a decisive attack on La Redoute
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
Grace Brown outsprints the favourites to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes
The FDJ-SUEZ rider finally takes the victory at La Doyenne after finishing runner-up in 2020 and 2022
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published