2024 Milan-San Remo Outright Odds: Two main contenders in place

The first 'Monument' of the 2024 UCI World Tour season, Milan-San Remo, is fast approaching, so it is time to take a look at the main contenders.

At 298 kilometres, Milan-San Remo is the longest professional one-day race in professional cycling, but is also the flattest.

It means that Milan-San Remo usually ends with a sprint finish, but even so in 2024 it looks to be a two-horse race.

Let's take a look at the main contenders to win one of the most historic races on the cycling calendar.

Mathieu van der Poel

Following a busy time racing in cyclocross, Mathieu van der Poel will make his first appearance of the road season at Milan-San Remo.

The Dutchman is the hot fancy at 4.00 to win the race and it comes as no surprise as it suits him down to the ground.

Van der Poel won Milan-San Remo in 2023 and will be keen to make a statement of intent for the season ahead, by going back-to-back.

The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider should be fresh and raring to go and is the rider to beat.

Tadej Pogacar

Tadej Pogacar began his season in devastating fashion when crushing the rest of the field at Strade Bianche on Saturday.

The Slovenian superstar attacked with 81kms of the race remaining to win with ease and will be the main threat to Van der Poel.

Milan-San Remo has so far eluded him and he will be determined to add it to an already ridiculously impressive CV.

Pogacar will no doubt attempt something on the Poggio, which is the final climb before the flat run into the finish line.

He is priced at 5.50 to win his first Milan-San Remo.

Mads Pedersen

If Van der Poel and Pogacar slip up at Milan-San Remo, then Danish star Mads Pedersen could be the man to capitalise.

Pedersen has so far kept himself fresh by avoiding opening weekend and Strade Bianche and will be ready to fire.

The former world champion has all the attributes to win Milan-San Remo. He is a good enough climber to get over the Poggio and also has a devastating sprint.

If he is there at the death then he has what it takes to win the sprint and the race and can be backed at 12.00.

Aussie hopes

Australian hopes will rest with Caleb Ewan, Kaden Groves and Michael Matthews, but it will be a big upset if one of them wins.

Ewan is best priced at 34.00 but would have to get over the Poggio and hope there is enough left in the tank to win the sprint.

The same applies to Groves and Matthews, who are both priced at 81.00 to win Milan-San Remo.

Simon Gerrans was the last Australian to win Milan-San Remo in 2012.