Only three riders have won Milan-San Remo in the rainbow jersey: Alfredo Binda (1933), Eddy Merckx (1972 and 1975) and Giuseppe Saronni (1983). Will Peter Sagan be the next? The Tinkoff rider will not change anything in his approach to the race.

He has had a strong start to the season without victory but a lot of podiums (five). He finished second overall in Tirreno-Adriatico. He crossed the finish line in the same place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

"Apart from the enormous pleasure and great pride, nothing else has changed. No one gives you any gifts; no one lets you go," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Sooner or later the victory will come, I'm calm about it. At the start of this season, I have always been fighting for success. Compared to three years ago, when it was easier for me to win, the racing is different.

"It’s the longest and easiest classic. But very difficult to win. I'd like a San Remo with the Manie climb and maybe even the Pompeiana... It would make it more difficult for the sprinters. I will never be a climber, but I don’t feel that I’m a sprinter either."

He explained that he will have to keep an eye on Spartacus. "Fabian [Cancellara] is riding very good at the moment. Then everything depends on how many sprinters get over the Poggio. For sure Matthews and Van Avermaet will be there. I don’t think Greg will attack on the Poggio."