Did You Know?
 

	Since the first edition in 1907, the only time the race has not been held was due to war in 1916, 1944 and 1945.
	The greatest number of wins is 7 by Eddy Merckx (1966-67,1969,1971-72,1975-76).
	Bianchi hold the record for most team victories with 17 wins. Lucien Petit-Breton was first in 1907. The last was Felice Gimondi in 1974.
	Italy has the most victories with 50.
	1909 - first Italian victory and the first year a change of bike was allowed!
	1949 - The first time the finish was held on the Via Roma.
	Luigi Ganna was the first person to be disqualified. In 1910 the Italian arrived in second place but was found to have covered the closing stages in a car.
	The youngest winner is Ugo Agostoni who was 20 years and 252 days of age. The oldest is Andrei Tchmil, 36 years and 57 days.
	Italian riders have taken the first 3 positions 34 times. The first in 1915 (Corlaita, Lucotti and Gremo) the last in 2006 (Pozzato, Petacchi, Paolini).
	The least number of finishers was 4. On 3 April 1910, out of 71 to start, only Eugene Christophe the winner, Cocchi, Machese and Sala survived the snow and freezing conditions. Luigi Ganna, Piero Lampaggi and Sante Goi finished but were not classified. The most was in 1992 when 206 riders made it to Sanremo.
	The climb of the Poggio was introduced in 1960 in an attempt to stop the race from ending each year in a sprint finish!
	The other important climb of the Cipressa was added still later in 1982 by former organiser the late Vincenzo Torriani. As the standard of riding became better and the Capi became less and less of a test.
	The race has not always been held on a Saturday. Between 1937 and 1981 the race was mainly held on the 19 March, St. Josephs day.
	1927 - The year the race was last held in April.
	Winner in 1996 was Gabriele Colombo. His father rode as a domestique for Gianni Motta during two Tour de France in the 1960's. His grandfather was Binda's room-mate during five Tour of Italy in the 1930's.
	Alfredo Binda retired from racing after breaking his femur in the 1936 Milan-San Remo.
	Cesare Del Cancia is the oldest surviving winner.
	Four men have won while wearing the World Road Champions jersey - Alfredo Binda (1931), Eddy Merckx (1972 and 1975), Felice Gimondi (1974) and Giuseppe Saronni (1983).
	45.806 Km/hour - The record speed set by Gianni Bugno in 1990.
	No rider has ever won Milan-San Remo three times in a row. Erik Zabel has come the closest with his wins in 1997 and 1998 and second place in 1999.
	The winner in 2008 received Euro 20,000.
	The 2005 Sanremo was to be Mario Cipollinis' last race in Europe.
	Mario Cipollini (centre wearing white helmet) takes part in his last race in Europe. Image © Dave Beckowich