Milan–San Remo is the longest Cycling Monument. Riders have to cover almost 300 km. It also has the most consistent distance and route among all Monuments.
With over 110 editions, we have enough data to explore and discover more about this renowned Italian classic.
Let me present the most intriguing Milan-San Remo statistics, charts, and trends you probably haven’t seen yet.
Abbreviations used: MSR – Milan–San Remo, BMI – Body Mass Index
I used publicly available data from bikeraceinfo.com, wikipedia.org, procyclingstats.com, and the official Milan–San Remo website milanosanremo.it as data sources.
Please, also keep in mind the following:
- Milan–San Remo did not take place between 1916, 1944, and 1945.
- The actual rider’s racing weight could vary.
- The heights and weight data are not available for all riders (especially for winners before 1945).
Milan–San Remo 2023 Summary
The 2023 Milan–San Remo winner is Mathieu Van der Poel (NL). He finished the 294km route at 6:25:23. His average speed was 45.77 km/h. It was the second-fastest MSR ever.
Milan–San Remo Distance, Time, and Average Speed
Let’s start with the basics.
Distance
The Milan–San Remo’s length is very consistent. Its average distance is 288 km, making it the longest cycling Monument. MSR exceeded the mighty 300 km mark for the first time in 2020.
The longest Milan–San Remo was 305 km long. It took place in 2020, and it was won by Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert.
The shortest Milan–San Remo was only 249 km long. It took place in 2013, and it was won by German cyclist Gerald Ciolek. This edition was shortened due to bad weather.
Winning Time
The following chart shows the winning time vs. the distance. Winning times fluctuate around the 7h mark in the past 60 years.
The average winning time of all Milan–San Remo editions is 7h 48′ 41″.
The fastest Milan–San Remo winning time was 5h 37′ 20″. This MSR took place in 2013 and was won by Gerald Ciolek. He averaged 43.75 km/h.
The slowest Milan–San Remo winning time was 12h 44′ 09″. This MSR took place in 1917 and was won by Gaetano Belloni. He averaged 22.50 km/h.
Between 1907 and 1960, there was a steep downward trend in the winning time. From 1960 to the present, it remains more or less the same.
Average Speed
The average speed of all Milan–San Remo editions is 38.06 km/h. The average speed increased from 31.85 km/h between 1920 and 1939 to 41.09 km/h between 1950 and 1969. The average speed between 2000 and 2019 was 42.40 km/h.
The fastest Milan–San Remo took place in 1990. The average speed of the winner, Gianni Bugno, was 45.81 km/h. He finished the 294km route in 6h 25′ 06″.
The slowest Milan–San Remo took place in 1917. The average speed of the winner, Gaetano Belloni, was 22.50 km/h. He finished the 286.5km route in 12h 44′ 09″.
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Milan–San Remo Height, Weight, and BMI of the Winners
Milan–San Remo winners are getting taller and lighter. Their BMI declines significantly…
Let’s now shift our focus to winners. How did their height, weight, and BMI develop over time? These insights are the most unique and the most interesting.
NOTE: The heights and weight data are unavailable for all riders (especially winners before 1945).
Height of the Winners
The average height of a Milan–San Remo winner is 1.78 m.
The tallest Milan–San Remo winner ever was Wout van Aert (MSR 2020). He is 1.90 m tall.
The shortest Milan–San Remo winner ever was Emile Daems (MSR 1962). He was 1.67 m tall.
Weight of the Winners
The average weight of a Milan–San Remo winner is 70.9 kg.
The heaviest Milan–San Remo winner was Rik van Steenberg. He won the 1954 and 1989 MSR, weighing 83 kg.
The lightest Milan–San Remo winner was Paolo Bettini. He won the 2003 MSR, weighing just 58 kg.
BMI of the Winners
The BMI chart and trend are the most interesting part of this article, in my opinion. As a reminder, here is an explanation of BMI:
NOTE: BMI (Body Mass Index) uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy. (Source)
You can interpret the BMI values using the following key:
- Below 18.5 – underweight,
- 18.5-24.9 – normal,
- 25.0-29.9 – overweight,
- 30.0 and above – obese.
So, what do we find out when we take a look at riders’ BMI?
Milan–San Remo winners have an average BMI of 22.42.
The Milan–San Remo winner with the highest BMI was Francesco Moser. He won the 1984 Milan–San Remo with a BMI of 24.39 (1.80 m, 79 kg).
The Milan–San Remo winner with the lowest BMI was Vincenzo Nibali. He won the 2018 Milan–San Remo with a BMI of 20.06 (1.80 m, 65 kg).
The BMI trend declines. MSR winners are getting taller on average. Their weight remains plus-minus the same (it decreases very gradually).
Compare yourself with pro riders. Calculate your BMI using the calculator below.
BMI CALCULATOR
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Milan–San Remo Victories
The rider with the most Milan–San Remo wins (7) is Eddy Merckx, followed by Costante Girardengo (6). Gino Bartoli and Erik Zabel both have four wins.
The most successful Milan–San Remo country is Italy (51). This is no surprise because MSR is an Italian classic.
Italy has more than twice as many wins as 2nd Belgium and three times more than 3rd France.
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Summary
These are my favorite Milan–San Remo stats:
- The Milan–San Remo’s length is very consistent. Its average distance is 288 km, making it the longest cycling Monument. MSR exceeded the mighty 300 km mark for the first time in 2020.
- The average winning time of all Milan–San Remo editions is 7h 48′ 41″.
- The fastest Milan–San Remo took place in 1990. The average speed of the winner, Gianni Bugno, was 45.81 km/h. He finished the 294km route in 6h 25′ 06″.
- The tallest Milan–San Remo winner ever was Wout van Aert (MSR 2020). He is 1.90 m tall.
- The BMI trend declines. MSR winners are getting taller on average. Their weight remains more or less the same (it decreases very gradually).
What are your thoughts on the Milan–San Remo statistics? What stats do you find the most mind-blowing?
Don’t forget to also check out the statistics of other Monuments:
Milan–San Remo Statistics FAQ
Sources
bikeraceinfo.com
wikipedia.org
procyclingstats.com
milanosanremo.it
Browse Other Cycling Statistics
I find cycling the most genuine (with athletics) sport if we ignore Lance Armstrong the infamous cheat. Their strength and fitness is almost impossible to comprehend.I only wish as a younger man I had taken up cycling rather than football golf etc not that I would have made a champion but for the sheer joy I now experience as a 69 year old with health problems. If you regard yourself too unfit to ride a bike , then do as I have done and buy an e-bike , I guarantee it will give you a new zest for life and help no end to improve both cardiovascular and mental health. Do it I guarantee that it’s the one sure thing you will never regret.
Hi Graham,
Thanks for sharing your story. I agree. Pro cyclists’ fitness is beyond my understanding. 😀
Furthermore, this year’s Tour de France was something else… Incredible performances from Wout, Jonas, Tadej, and others.
I wish you all the best and many more miles ridden.
– Petr