Fernando Gaviria: 'Sagan will try to go on the Poggio'
Colombian Milan-San Remo contender Fernando Gaviria reckons rival Peter Sagan will go for a late attack and not hold out for a bunch sprint


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) will try to attack free over the Poggio in Milan-San Remo on Saturday and not wait for the sprint on Via Roma, says rival Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors).
Twenty-two-year-old Gaviria is a top favourite for a sprint finish if he can avoid crashing. Last year, he crashed with 300 metres remaining and on Thursday, he fell while training. The team doctor Toon Cruyt told Sporza television that he hurt both wrists and rode on rollers today to avoid stressing them too much.
Sagan is the number one favourite to win the Italian monument, but he must decide on how to try for victory to avoid wasting energy.
>>> Milan-San Remo 2017: Latest news and race info
"We can expect more attacks on the Poggio, with guys like Greg Van Avermaet, Michal Kwiatkowski and Peter Sagan, I think they will try to go on the Poggio. We hope that we have the legs in the right moment," Gaviria said in Tirreno-Adriatico on Tuesday.
"If there is a strong rider with a gap of five to 10 seconds, and they have the legs, I think they can win the race [from the Poggio]. It's a hard descent to make up too much difference because there are too many curves.
Watch: How did Arnaud Démare win the 2016 Milan-San Remo?
"I don't know [if I'll wait for the sprint]. I will wait to see how the legs are feeling. If the legs are good, and it depends on who is attacking, and this race is all about going at the right moment. If you go at the wrong moment, the race is over for you."
From the hillside Poggio town above the Italian Riviera, six kilometres remain to the finish line in San Remo's city centre. Gerald Ciolek won in 2013 from a group that moved free on the ribbon-like descent. In 2013, Simon Gerrans won with an attack on the way up to Poggio.
Gaviria, assuming he bounces back from the crash on Thursday, will be ready either way. Colombia will be watching.
>>> Is Fernando Gaviria cycling’s next superstar?
“In Colombia, Milan-San Remo wasn't so well-known because it's a race for sprinters, and we didn't really have any big sprinters, so the race wasn't seen so much in Colombia," he said.
It has changed now. Thanks to Gaviria's ride last year, the race is shown live on television with the final just as La Ceja, Gaviria's hometown, wakes up in the thin 2200-metre air.
"I think a lot of people will be watching the race, and I will do everything I can to make them happy," he said.
"The pressure is not a problem. I put pressure on myself, and I want to win. The pressure comes from what I put on myself."
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Dr Hutch: The aesthetics of the 'chest-fairing' is a funny hill to want to die on
The earnest buffoonery of budget aero hacks may rile TT diehards, but Cycling Weekly's columnist salutes the cut-price cunning of their innovations
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Why am I so tired? New AI tool promises to answer this and more from your wrist - tech round up
From a coach on your wrist to no-sealant in your tires: tech news that piqued our interest this week
By Luke Friend Published
-
Analysis: How Mathieu van der Poel won Milan-San Remo
After another exhilarating finish to Milan-San Remo, it’s time to look back at the day and the key tactical moments that defined it
By CyclingMole aka David Hunter Published
-
'No regrets' for Tadej Pogačar after falling short of Milan-San Remo podium
UAE Team Emirates rider says the best man won on the Via Roma
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel powers to Milan-San Remo victory with explosive Poggio attack
'This was my best level,' says Dutchman after Monument win
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Matej Mohorič not fazed by being marked on Milan-San Remo return
Slovenian says ‘nothing will change’ as he looks to outfox rivals on the Poggio
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
All in for the Poggio: Nine riders to watch at Milan-San Remo 2023
Analysing the top tier of contenders for La Classicissima this weekend, plus one or two surprise packages
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Matej Mohorič considering using a dropper seatpost for Strade Bianche
The Bahrain Victorious star won Milan-San Remo in 2022 with the help of a dropper post
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontman
As the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back at the glory days
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
No win for Jonas Vingegaard? Cycling Weekly's bold predictions for the 2023 season
With under a fortnight until the WorldTour kicks off this year, it is time to take a look into our crystal ball
By Adam Becket Published