Vincenzo Nibali's Milan-San Remo Strava file shows his gruelling effort
Comparing Vincenzo Nibali's Strava stats to riders in the chase group shows how close he was to being caught before the finish line
Vincenzo Nibali's memorable victory in Milan-San Remo on Saturday has been uploaded to Strava by the Italian rider, and it shows how close he was to being caught just before the finish line.
Nibali had attacked on the key flashpoint of the Poggio climb within six kilometres of the finish – putting in a daring move to distance all of his rivals.
He then managed to keep a star-studded chase group at bay to take the victory in Italy's biggest single-day race.
Nibali's attack on the Poggio is shown in Strava's Poggio di Sanremo Strava segment.
The 33-year-old may have been the quickest rider on the ascent of the Poggio this year, but his time of 6-05 on the 3.62km segment is well short of Michal Kwiatkowski's mark of 5-47, set when he won the race in 2017.
In fact, it wasn't even Nibali's quickest time up the iconic climb – he posted 6-02 in 2016.
Perhaps what is more interesting are the stats for the segments on the way down the Poggio and into the finish.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Nibali is renowned as a strong descender, so it is surprising to see that he tackled the Poggio downhill slightly slower than key riders in the chase group.
Nibali's time of 3-43 on the 3km Poggio (Descent) Strava segment puts him in 13th place of the riders tackling the race in 2018. Davide Cimolai (Groupama-FDJ) was quickest on the day with 3-19, and with Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates), Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) and Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) all among those quicker than Nibali.
>>> Vincenzo Nibali: ‘The final kilometres of Milan-San Remo were endless. It was pure suffering’
Nibali was evidently fatigued after his huge attack on the Poggio ascent, with his rivals catching him up on the descent.
By the time Nibali hit the final segment of the race – the Via Roma MSR Sprint – he was significantly slower than the rapidly accelerating chase group behind him, dragged in by Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan.
After the finish, he described the finale of the race, saying: "the last kilometres were endless – pure suffering."
Démare finished in third pot just behind Ewan, and his time of 17 seconds (equating to 60.8kmh) is significantly quicker than Nibali's time of 22 seconds (or 47kmh) to the line.
Of course, it hardly matters. Nibali had given himself just enough time to ease up before the line slightly and raise his hands in the air as a worthy champion of the 2018 edition of Milan-San Remo.
One last note: Despite Nibali's amazing effort over the seven hours and 18 minutes he took to complete the 191km race – average speed 39.9kmh – he did not claim a single Strava KOM.
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Dozens of riders left stranded as National Cycling League announces 2024 season hiatus citing 'current economic challenges in domestic and global cycling industry'
Effective immediately, the NCL paused all its operations in order to focus on restructuring and rebuilding for the 2025 season.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Welsh Grand Départ for first ever Tour of Britain Women, British Cycling confirms
Race will get underway in Welshpool before concluding in Greater Manchester four days later
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel not intimidated by Tadej Pogačar’s form ahead of Milan-San Remo clash
Dutchman starts his 2024 road season at Italian Monument on Saturday
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
-
'This was the day that I realised I'm quite good at racing' - Matej Mohorič remembers the ride that changed him
A stage winner in all three Grand Tours, as well as Milan-San Remo, Mohorič reflects back on his 2012 Junior World Championships victory
By Tom Thewlis 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