The Race of the Two Capitals
Milano-Torino
A late-winter Italian one-day race that bridges the Classics season, often decided by a punchy finale after a day of positioning and attrition.
- Location
- ๐ฎ๐น Italy
- When
- Third Wednesday in March
- Course
- One Day
- Most recent winner
- ๐ฌ๐ง Tom Pidcock (2026)
- Also known as
- Milan-Turin
- Category
- Menโs 1.Pro
About Milano-Torino
Milano-Torino is a men's one-day bike race in northern Italy, linking the two historic capitals of Lombardy and Piedmont. One of the oldest races on the calendar, it has moved between spring and autumn over the decades and now serves as a seasonal bridge between early-season stage racing and the Classics.
Also known as: Milan-Turin
One of the oldest races on the calendar, first run in 1876.
This is the kind of race where coverage can turn quickly from controlled buildup to a decisive final hour. The route typically rewards riders who can handle repeated accelerations and sharp positioning battles, and the late-winter weather in northern Italy adds an unpredictable edge. It attracts a mix of Classics specialists tuning form and stage racers testing their legs before the Ardennes.
Milano-Torino winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2026 | ๐ฌ๐งTom Pidcock |
| 2025 | ๐ฒ๐ฝIsaac del Toro |
| 2024 | ๐ฎ๐นAlberto Bettiol |
| 2023 | ๐ณ๐ฑArvid de Kleijn |
| 2022 | ๐ฌ๐งMark Cavendish |
| 2021 | ๐ธ๐ฎPrimoz Roglic |
| 2020 | ๐ซ๐ทArnaud Demare |
| 2019 | ๐จ๐ฆMichael Woods |
| 2018 | ๐ซ๐ทThibaut Pinot |
| 2017 | ๐จ๐ดRigoberto Uran |
Milano-Torino route
The route runs roughly southwest from Milan toward Turin, and while the exact parcours varies year to year, the race is usually defined by a series of short climbs or rolling terrain in the final third. The finale often includes one or more punchy ascents close to the finish, which can splinter the field and favor riders with a sharp acceleration rather than sustained climbing power. Positioning into these closing climbs matters more than raw watts, and the race is often won by a small group or a late solo move rather than a bunch sprint. Weather can play a significant role, with rain or cold adding another layer of selection.
What shapes the race
Superga summit finish
The fearsome Colle di Superga, with an average gradient of 9.1% and a 14% peak, serves as the race's decisive finale when included. Introduced as the standard finish in 2012.
Oldest classic in the world
First held in 1876, Milano-Torino is the oldest classic bicycle race, predating even Bordeaux-Paris and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
Il Lombardia eve
Typically held the day before Il Lombardia, the race attracts top climbers sharpening their form for the final Monument.
Signature landmarks
- Summit finish
Colle di Superga
Average gradient 9.1%, peak 14%, with long stretches at 10%. The climb to the Basilica of Superga has been the race's defining finale since 2012.
- Landmark
Basilica of Superga
The 18th-century royal basilica overlooking Turin, also the site of the 1949 air disaster that killed the Grande Torino football team.
- Route
Milan to Turin corridor
199 km crossing the Po Plain between Italy's two great northern industrial cities.
History
Memorable editions
- 1876
The very first classic
Eight riders started and only four finished the inaugural 150 km race from Milan to Turin. Paolo Magretti won in 10 hours 9 minutes.
- 1995
Pantani's devastating crash
A police communication failure allowed a vehicle onto the course. Marco Pantani collided head-on, breaking his tibia and fibula, costing him the entire 1996 season.
- 2012
Contador revives Superga
Alberto Contador won the first edition to feature the Superga summit finish after the race was revived following a four-year hiatus.
- 2025
Del Toro shatters the Superga record
Isaac del Toro set a new climbing record on the final 4.1 km of Superga in 13 minutes 17 seconds.
Iconic victories
Costante Girardengo
Five wins (1914 to 1923), the all-time record. Italy's first great champion dominated the race across a decade.
Primoz Roglic
Won in 2021 by powering up Superga, confirming his mastery of the Italian autumn climbs.
Alberto Contador
Won the race's return to the calendar in 2012 with the newly introduced Superga finish.
Isaac del Toro
Shattered the Superga climbing record in 2025, representing the next generation's domination of Italian autumn racing.
Eras and records
First held in 1876, the oldest classic bicycle race in the world. The 2026 edition marks roughly 150 years of racing between Milan and Turin.
Most wins
Costante Girardengo, 5 victories.
Oldest race
First held in 1876, the oldest classic in cycling.
Superga climbing record
Isaac del Toro, 13 min 17 sec on the final 4.1 km (2025).