CYCLING: Milano-Sanremo Donne 1.WWT 2026 (ITA)

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Italy 21 Mar 2026 Class 1.WWT – 1 day – UCI Women’s WorldTour

Website www.milanosanremo.it

Data powered by FirstCycling.com

The 2026 Milano-Sanremo Donne (officially Sanremo Women) is taking place on Saturday, March 21, 2026. This second modern edition of the race marks a major milestone as it is now officially designated by the UCI as a women’s cycling “Monument.”

The race covers 156 km, starting in Genoa and finishing on the iconic Via Roma in Sanremo.

Race Schedule (CET)

How to Watch

The broadcast typically alternates with the men’s race coverage.

• TV: RaiSport / Rai 2 (Italy), Eurosport 2 (International).
• Streaming: Discovery+, HBO Max, Eurosport App, and DAZN.
• Live Coverage Window: Primary streaming coverage begins around 12:30 CET.

Key Favorites

• Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime): The 2025 champion and top favorite for a sprint finish.
• Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek): Italy’s primary hope for a home victory.
• Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime): Always a threat for a late solo attack on the Poggio.
• Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM): Expected to push the pace on the climbs to drop the pure sprinters.

Note: Elisa Longo Borghini is a notable absentee this year due to a late-stage forfeit.

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

The history of the Milano-Sanremo Donne is a tale of two eras: a pioneering start in the late 1990s and a high-profile “Monument” rebirth in the mid-2020s.

1. The “Primavera Rosa” Era (1999–2005)

Before the current iteration, the race was known as the Primavera Rosa. It was created by RCS Sport to run alongside the men’s Classic and was part of the UCI Women’s Road World Cup.

• The Route: Unlike the modern version, it was shorter (roughly 120 km), starting in Varazze and following the coast to Sanremo. It still featured the decisive climbs of the Cipressa and Poggio.
• The Dominators: Russian rider Zulfiya Zabirova remains the only person to win the race twice (2002, 2004).
• The Disappearance: In 2006, the race was abruptly cancelled. Organizers cited a lack of financial interest and logistical difficulties in managing road closures for two major races on the same day. For nearly 20 years, the “Spring Classic” for women vanished from the calendar.

2. The Modern Revival (2025–Present)

After years of campaigning by riders and fans, RCS Sport officially brought the race back in 2025 under the name Milano-Sanremo Donne (or Sanremo Women).

• The 2025 Reboot: The first edition of the new era took place on March 22, 2025. It started in Genoa rather than Milan (to keep the distance manageable at 156 km) but used the identical iconic finish on Via Roma.
• First Modern Winner: The legendary Dutch sprinter Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) made history by winning the inaugural revival in a reduced bunch sprint, narrowly beating Marianne Vos.
• Monument Status (2026): Starting this year (2026), the UCI has officially granted the race “Monument” status in terms of ranking points. This places it on the same tier as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix Femmes, cementing it as one of the most prestigious one-day races in the world.

Historical Winners List