After the changes to the Milan-Sanremo course that include the removal of the La Manie climb and the inclusion of a new climb called the Pompeiana, the Lampre Merida squad have taken part in an important reconnaissance of the key parts of the new route.

2006 winner Filippo Pozzato and 2004 Giro d’Italia winner and three-time Il lombardia winner Damiano Cunego were among the men who rode the various climbs of the route. The other men included were Niccolo Bonifazio, Elia Favilli, Davide Cimolai and Sacha Modolo.

They rode the route from the Cipressa to Sanremo, thus scaling the former, dropping down the descent, climbing the five kilometres-plus of the Pompeiana, then racing on to the iconic Poggio before the final descent to the finish. 

“The beginning of the Pompeiana is similar to that of the Cipressa,” said Pozzato, “with a demanding first section. In the second part, the climb is even tougher but the key point will be the slight slope that goes to the summit, as they will catch out those who are lacking energy and who hope to recover.”

He said the descent is also important. “The first part is quite difficult, the second one is very fast. It heads towards the sea, so you need to assess how the wind will affect the speed.”

Cunego had a mainly quiet season in 2013 but is determined to try to step things up again in 2014. He said that doing the reconnaissance of the route was important although he in unsure whether Sanremo will be a race he targets to get back to his best.

“I felt it was right and professional to come and see in person how la Classicissima has changed. I think the Pompeiana will be the perfect launch pad for attacks. It is the perfect invitation for those who want to shake up the race."

It’s not easy to say if you can make a difference, because there is the possibility that many riders in the group will come to the Cipressa without having spent much of their energy.”

"From the approach to the Cipressa to the finish line there won’t be any calm moment. You will only be able to take a breather after the finish,” said the directeur sportif Orlando Maini. “On paper, it will be a very different Classicissima than those of the past. It can encourage the climbers, but watch out for the fast riders who have legs that are shape. They can hold on and appear in Sanremo in the front group.”