How Do Cipressa & Poggio Stack Up?
Zach Lee
Milan-San Remo, the longest one-day race on the pro calendar, tests riders with 261 km of build-up before they hit the decisive Cipressa and Poggio climbs. These ascents aren’t monstrous on paper, but after seven hours in the saddle, they become race-defining. To put them into perspective, we’ve lined them up against two classic U.S. climbs: Rock Store in the Santa Monica Mountains and Flagstaff in Boulder.
Cipressa (5.6 km, 4.3% avg) is a steady grind, comparable in length to Rock Store but with a milder pitch. Poggio (3.7 km, 4.0% avg) is short and punchy, demanding the kind of acceleration that makes or breaks the final sprint.
Compare that to Boulder’s Flagstaff (4.7 km, 6.5% avg), where steeper grades force a relentless effort. While neither Italian climb is the hardest you’ll ride, the race-day fatigue and tactical urgency make them feel like mountains.
Would you rather take on these climbs fresh or after 160+ miles of racing?