There are many great photos of Eddy Merckx on the podium, but this has always been a favorite of mine. The 1976 edition of the Milano San Remo was his seventh win of the legendary race and you get a sense of confidence in his smile, that he expected to be there but not in a condescending way. It was one of only two wins on the season for him and the last classics win of his career. He did it with a stunning attack a third of the way up the Poggio climb. Pre race favorite and main rival Roger De Vlaeminck was caught out and could only look at others to try to bridge. Only the rising star Jean Luc Vandenbrouke could close the gap but he had nothing for the Molteni star at the sprint. It was not his last victory, but it can be argued that it was his last great win in a career that saw him reach the top step of the podium a mind boggling 525 times. It seems fitting that it happened at one of the most beautiful races on the calendar. Here's hoping that we get another stunner in two months time. The Poggio is back and will no doubt be a deciding factor in who finds themselves hoisting the trophy for 2015's first Monument of the season. I can't wait.
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