The return of racing brought the first monument of the year on Saturday the 8th of August. Whilst Milan San Remo is normally about the tough conditions or early season sun, this year's was a scorcher.
For a race characterised either by late season snow storms or early and weak spring sunlight, the August race date moved the longest day on the road into a summer heatwave. Temperatures easily touching 40 degrees, riders opted for the lightest kit on offer - but masks were non-negotiable at sign-on.
The character of this race wasn't just sunnier in disposition - it looked different too. Reduced team numbers were predicted to make the field a little more unstable, with big teams struggling to dictate pace, pull on the front and really dominate the pack. _
However, it was really business as normal for the long run from Milan towards the coast, barring a swerve to avoid the coastal roads, brought on by local officials fearful of running a race during peak tourist season. The outcome set the peloton on roads slightly inland and away from firm favourites like the Passo Del Turchino and the iconic clifftop roads along the Mediterranean.
As ever with Milan San Remo though, the race was to explode on the final climb. Cagey and nervous sprinters had been shoring up their position, preparing sprint trains, and trying to control the field when an attack from Julian Alaphilippe was met only by Wout van Aert, fresh from his victory at Strade Bianche. Cresting the climb and holding the gap, the sprint came to a two man affair.
Whilst the Belgian bested the Frenchman, it felt good to see the Celeste of Bianchi take home a monument, and van Aert to cement his status as a man to beat.
Thanks go to Russ Ellis and Chris Auld for capturing the race - See more of their work by following them on Instagram, at @cyclingimages & @cauldphoto.