Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here's what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026

With Milan-San Remo 2026 still distant, recent editions of Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice are already being scrutinised for clues on potential contenders and race dynamics. The consensus suggests that the 'Race of the Two Seas' remains the premier proving ground for the season's first Monument, offering the specific "race hardness" required for the Poggio. While Paris-Nice provides its own challenges, its profile often fails to replicate the unique demands of *La Classicissima*, leaving riders to find their form elsewhere. It seems some traditions, like the Italian race's predictive power, are simply too strong to break.