Though the Pompeiana has been removed from the original route proposed for this year’s race, anyone with serious ambitions to win in San Remo will still have to tackle 294km of racing, including the climbs of the Cipressa and Poggio.

Peaking with just six kilometres remaining, the Poggio – first introduced in 1960 – has become race-defining, and with the likes of Peter Sagan and Fabian Cancellara looking to foil the out-and-out sprinters this year it could well be again.

Last year’s epic race saw the race-defining split form on the Cipressa, however, with Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) the first to attack. By the time of the descent of the Poggio it was a leading group of six up the road, from which Gerald Ciolek took the stage honours.

But they are not the only climbs to feature en-route to San Remo, with the long, steady ascent of the Passo del Turchino midway through the race.

The weather, of course, had more bearing on last year’s race than the route profile but forecasts appear much more favourable this year.

Rain is expected throughout the day, but there will be more than a few riders – along with race organisers – relieved to see no snow on the cards this time out.