With 293 kilometers of racing, Milan-Sanremo is different from all other races in the season. Israel – Premier Tech’s sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo will lead Israel – Premier Tech in the first Monument of the season.
The competition in Milan-Sanremo this season is huge. The winners of Paris-Nice (Roglic) and Tirreno-Adriatico (Pogacar) will line up. As will one of the fastest sprinters in the world so far in 2022 (Jakobsen), the European champion (Colbrelli), the Belgian champion (Van Aert), and the Olympic mountain bike champion (Pidcock).
Giacomo Nizzolo, racing with a special HJC Sports helmet, is IPT’s team leader. In August 2020, the Italian finished fifth in an edition with a line-up that was similar to the one this year. In 2021, the 33-year-old won the sprint from the chasing group, resulting in 18th place. Nizzolo:
“A lot can happen in a long race like Milan-Sanremo. Especially in the final, things can change rapidly. The last few years have shown plenty of examples of exciting racing and eventful finals. I think the key to getting a good result in this race is to never stop believing. The race is only over after the finish arch and up till that point it can be anyone’s race.”
The Italian can rely on the full support of the team’s lead-out train, with which he raced Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this month. The train includes Matthias Brändle, Alex Dowsett, and Rick Zabel.
“I trust the strong team we are bringing to Milan, and I hope for good legs, especially in the final,” Nizzolo says.
Milan-Sanremo is a special race for the rider who was born in Milan.
“Every rider wants to win this race, and Italians even a little bit more than non-Italian cyclists. In my case, coming from Milan, I like Milan-Sanremo even more. Any type of rider, puncher and sprinter, can win this Monument, and that makes it even more exciting. I have special feelings for this race.”
Alexander Cataford, Krists Neilands, and Omer Goldstein are also lining up in Milan for the longest professional cycling race on the planet.
