Built in 1935 as the heir of the Sempione velodrome, the Vigorelli became in a few years a symbol of Milan with the six-days-riders who populated the thunderous nights around a track destined to become iconic also for the historical Faliero Masi workshop. Under the track itself, Masi forged the bicycles of Merckx, Coppi, Anquetil, as if they were art pieces that could take off. WIth the bombs that ravaged the city in 1944 and the snowfall in 1985 that devastated the roof, the Vigorelli has risen over and again, without ever losing its legendary aura. On 19 March, Milano-Sanremo will set off from this symbolic place to cover just under three-hundred kilometres linking the city to the sea. Maurizio Fondriest tells us about his bond with this race, a journey that has been made for one hundred and thirteen springs and promises heart-stopping moves, attacks and counterattacks in a dive towards the narrow Via Roma, the historic red carpet of a symphonic Monument. 

My greatest Vittoria

Milano-Sanremo is undoubtedly my favourite race for many reasons. I’ve tried to win it in many editions and I’ve always come pretty close, but in 1993 everything changed. That morning, before kicking off, I received the news of the birth of my first daughter Maria Vittoria and I was in seventh heaven, in that state of grace that you need to win this race. The Classicissima looks easy on paper but it’s one of the most difficult races to win because it’s so unpredictable. As a born puncheur, I knew very well that I had to attack on the Poggio to make a difference. That day, however, it wasn’t just strategy that counted. I felt something special inside – a sort of bravado I had never experienced before and  never found again afterwards – which allowed me to be one hundred percent sure of my chances. While racing, I was focused but at the same time I felt carefree: a lucky combination that gave me an extra quid to win.