Mauro Santambrogio left BMC prior to the season in the hope that Vini Fantini manager Luca Scinto could reignite his career which had stalled somewhat during his three-year stint at the American team. With blistering performances from January's Tour de San Luis all the way to the Tirreno-Adriatico, his wish has been fulfilled, and he has got his new life as team leader off to an incredible start.

He will take on that role again on Sunday when he will be at the head of his Vini Fantini in one of the most important races of the season for the Italian team. On the back of a 7th place finish in Tirreno-Adriatico, he enters the race as one of the best climbers, and there is little doubt that he will be one of the protagonists in the final of the race.

Strong performances in the Tour of LOmbardy prove that he has what it takes to handle the distance, but he will need to get rid of faster finishers. Hence, we might be in for another Santambrogio showing on the final Poggio climb where he will join his fellow climbers and classics specialists in the accelerations that should trouble the sprinters.

Santambrogio knows that he has to make the most of his current form.

"I'd like to do well," he explained. "This is the time of Carpe Diem for me, and I want to exploit this moment. I know that the weather could have a serious affect on the race, but I am ready for everything, and in Tirreno I certainly not missed the chance to compete in wet conditions."

Should Santambrogio fail to make any lasting gaps on the climbs, the team will look to Oscar Gatto to participate in a sprint finish. The former Giro stage winner targets the classics, but seems to be a little below his usual level at the moment. The team hopes that he will find his usual self prior to Sunday's battle and that he will make his presence felt in the final.

Gatto feels that his form is on the rise.

"I feel good and am ready for the arrival in Sanremo. With Scinto we have done a good work, and we have to see how the race will pan out - especially with regards to the weather and the fact that the attackers want to create a hard race. I love this classic, and last year I really enjoyed being among the first on the Poggio climb."

Milan-Sanremo is known as a tricky race where luck plays a crucial role. Being aware of this fact, Scinto wants his team to minimize the risks and make sure that his captains arrive in the final in optimal conditions.

"Santambrogio and Gatto have the possibility to do a good race, but we have to be a very compact unit and stay together," the team manager said. "With teams trying to split the race and bad weather forecasted, we will have to handle a lot of variables during the race."

Santambrogio and Gatto will be joined by Mauro Finetto, Kevin Hulsmans, Alessandro Proni, Francesco Chicchi, Jonathan Monsalve and Matteo Rabottini. Finetto, Hulsmans and Proni will serve as valuable domestiques while Monsalve and an in-form Rabottini could join any attacks on the Cipressa climb. Sprinter Chicchi will probably find the going too tough, and it is very unlikely that he will make to the end anywhere near the front in his Milan-Sanremo debut

You can follow Santambrogio's exploits live on CyclingQuotes.com/live on Sunday starting at 14.30. Until then you can prepare for the race by studying our preview.

Vini Fantini for Milan-Sanremo

Mauro Santambrogio, Oscar Gato, Mauro Finetto, Kevin Hulsmans, Alessandro Proni, Francesco Chicchi, Jonathan Monsalve and Matteo Rabottini