Milan-San Remo kicks off with sunny start (photos)

Opening Monument of the 2016 season starts in Milan, under sunny skies

(Image credit: CLAUDIO PERI)

Milan-San Remo started this morning, with 25 teams and 199 riders rolling out of Milan under clear, sunny skies.

The weather forecast for the day is almost perfect for a fast race: very little wind, no cloud cover and temperatures predicted to reach as high at 16°C.

There was one non-starter: Moreno Hofland (LottoNL-Jumbo) was forced to withdraw due to illness.

>>> Milan-San Remo 2016: Latest news, preview and info

As we write this, an escape group of 11 riders has over 10 minutes advantage over the peloton with 250km remaining.

Fabian Cancellara celebrates his 35th birthday before the 2016 Milan-San Remo

Fabian Cancellara celebrates his 35th birthday before the 2016 Milan-San Remo
(Image credit: Watson)

Milan-San Remo 2016

World champion Peter Sagan signs on - can he win his first Monument?
(Image credit: CLAUDIO PERI)

Milan-San Remo 2016

Italian favourite Vincenzo Nibali
(Image credit: CLAUDIO PERI)

Milan-San Remo 2016

Fabian Cancellara will lead Trek-Segafredo
(Image credit: CLAUDIO PERI)
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Milan-San Remo 2016

The riders roll out for the first of 291 kilometres
(Image credit: CLAUDIO PERI)
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Photos: RCS Sport

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