Featured Story

Unique perspectives from one of cycling’s biggest races.

Milan-Sanremo may not have ended the way we hoped it would be after Tom Pidcock crashed at the foot of Cipressa, but the Team On Mission spirit was there in all seven riders.

Five of them embarked on their very first Milan-Sanremo. Now the dust has settled Nick, Emils, Xabier Mikel, Milan and Fabio tell you about their monumental day out between Pavia and Sanremo because almost 300 kilometers of racing generates a lot of different stories and perspectives we love to hear too.

24 March 2025

Nick Zukowsky

“It was a cool experience being at Milan-Sanremo for the first time. I felt a lot of excitement because this race is so big and the roads are so well-known because they are the same every year. The passion of the Italian fans was amazing at the team presentation, at the start and throughout the race. It felt incredibly to be part of this team that went for the win with Tom like we did in Strade Bianche.

This race is special because there is no other race on the calendar that is so long. It felt like we went on adventure because you are on the bike for nearly seven hours. The anticipation in the bus and the choices we made in clothing. The start was cold and miserable but after Turchino it was warm and spring-like. We were prepared for both with Q36.5. Then you also need to take on a lot of food for this day.

“It felt like we went on adventure because you are on the bike for nearly seven hours. ” 

The race itself flew by, to be honest. You do the long run-up to Turchino and then you arrive at the coast where a new race starts. The Italian riviera remined me of the French one which I called home for so many years. After Turchino you fight for position on the Capi and Cipressa. It all went so fast and was so hectic with the small towns and traffic furniture. Before I knew it I was in Sanremo. At least that’s how it felt.

It was a shame we didn’t get what we came for but personally I had an enjoyable day. I want to come back, having learned from this one and then give it another go with Tom.”

Milan Vader

“It was a great and a very special experience. Up untill now I only saw the race on tv and now I was in it. It was also special because the weather required our attention. In the week before we had good weather but when I woke up early on race day I saw the grey skies and heard the rain on the window. In a funny way it reminded me of my mountain bike days where you would also wake up early to open the curtains and check the weather.

In my opinion we did a great job again as a team. We had a good plan but luck wasn’t on our side. I had a mechanical at a keypoint and the chase back cost a lot of energy. I saw Tom crash and was there to give him a push to get going again. Despite our bad luck it was a wonderful experience that I take with me towards the next edition. I hope to do a bit more then.”

Xabier Mikel Azparren

“It was so special for me to be at the start line of Milan-Sanremo with a big goal to fight for the win with Tom. Of course, you always hope to win when you start a race but realistically it doesn’t always happen like this that you are really playing for the win. Personally I was glad to be back after the crash in Tirreno Adriatico to do my job and protect Tom. I tried to do as much as I could before we hit the Capi.

It was amazing to see these roads I saw on tv since I was a child. I crossed the finish line where so many champions rode before and legends were made. This edition we didn’t achieve what we came to do but there are more races and big objectives to come for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.”

“This edition we didn’t achieve what we came to do but there are more races and big objectives to come for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.”

Emils Liepiņš

“My highlight of the day was how we rode as a team. We were fully committed and racing for the win. Everyone was so focused and we did a great job. The big teams like Ineos, UAE were at the front with us. We were there where we needed to be. As a road captain I was proud how we raced and how we all believed in Tom, both the riders and all the staff. We were a team that was really hungry. It was shit that Tom crashed but despite that I am proud of how we raced.”

Finally, our youngest rookie Fabio Christen could only agree with what Emils said.
“We leave empty handed because of that crash but it will make us only stronger for the next races. As Emils said before it was my absolute highlight as well to see the whole team fight for the win with Tom. That spirit of Team on Mission will get us far.”