Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu Van der Poel are set to clash for the first time this season at Milano-Sanremo, cycling’s first Monument of the year.

The world champion arrives in strong form after winning Strade Bianche earlier this month, while deliberately skipping Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico to focus fully on this race.

Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix remain the only two Monuments missing from Pogacar’s palmarès, making Saturday’s 298km race one of his biggest targets of the season.

"It's no secret that Milano-Sanremo is a race I would love to win," Pogacar said after his UAE Team Emirates lineup was announced.

"I think it suits me well but also suits a lot of the other top guys. I see that as a good challenge."

Pogacar has already shown his intent by setting a blistering pace on the Cipressa climb in training, underlining his strategy to attack before the traditional Poggio showdown.

"You need to be there for the Cipressa. Not at 100 percent but at 110 percent. It's all about positioning," he said.

"Then you need to do it all again on the Poggio and be even better."

Mathieu Van der Poel Ready To Defend Milano-Sanremo Crown

Van der Poel enters as the defending champion and arguably the rider to beat after winning two stages at Tirreno-Adriatico.

The Dutch rider believes Pogacar is getting closer to cracking the race, which is often decided by positioning, timing and explosive power rather than pure climbing strength.

"I feel good and have had good preparation. I am satisfied with my legs and the feeling this week," Van der Poel said.

Despite his own confidence, he acknowledged the growing threat posed by Pogacar.

"Last year he was already very close. If I'm one percent off, Tadej will be gone on the Cipressa."

"It's only a matter of time before he wins it."

The race runs 298 kilometers from Pavia to Via Roma in Sanremo, featuring the decisive Cipressa and Poggio climbs in the final kilometers after hours of flat racing along the Ligurian coast.