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6-to-4 prohibitive race favorite, Peter Sagan, signing in this morning | 
A cold, wet start in Milan | 
Lots of crashes today... |
... but apparently nothing too serious | 
The weather got progressively worse and the climb of the Turchino Pass was canceled (photo credit: @marko_dzalo) | 
Riders being forced to stop in Ovada |
Manuel Belletti amidst photographers and general chaos | 
Manuel Belletti frozen solid | 
Vincenzo Nibali would later withdraw when the race resumed |
Frozen Robbie Hunter on the Garmin Sharp team bus (photo credit: @millarmind) | 
After a bus transfer to Arenzano which cut out 40 km of the route resulting in a 1.5 hour "halftime", the six man break starts out again | 
The peloton was held back to reestablish the break gap |
Elia Viviani doesn't appear to be looking forward to another 140 km of foul racing | 
The bad weather continued after the race resumed | 
The peloton weaving it's way along the coast |
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The peloton getting strung out | 
Late in the race, Philippe Gilbert attacked on the Cipressa with about 25 km to go creating this break which included Fabian Cancellera. |
Sylvain CHAVANEL (OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP) and Ian STANNARD (SKY PROCYCLING) were first down the Poggio with a small gap on... | 
A few seconds back were Peter SAGAN (CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING), Fabian CANCELLARA (RADIOSHACK LEOPARD) and Gerald CIOLEK (MTN - QHUBEKA) | 
Peter SAGAN (CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING), left, led out the sprint, but Gerald CIOLEK (MTN - QHUBEKA) came to the front of the race at the right time... |
Finish perspective in San Remo of the top six riders crossing the line | 
Gerald CIOLEK (MTN - QHUBEKA) wins Milan-San Remo in absolutely cold miserable conditions | 
“In the final 200m it was all about who had fast legs and I feel super happy that I could beat Sagan. He was the big favourite and perhaps I benefited a little from that.” |
The delighted winner flanked by Peter SAGAN (CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING) and Fabian CANCELLARA (RADIOSHACK LEOPARD) | 
14 seconds later, Alexander KRISTOFF (KATUSHA) crossed ahead of Mark CAVENDISH OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP) for 8th | 
Make room for the winner |
Your stunned, tired, cold winner, Gerald CIOLEK, gives MTN - QHUBEKA, the first African team to race in Europe, a huge win | 
Your 2013 Milan-San Remo podium: 2nd Peter SAGAN (CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING), 1st Gerald CIOLEK (MTN - QHUBEKA) and 3rd Fabian CANCELLARA (RADIOSHACK LEOPARD) | 
Same shot, different angle |
Gerald Ciolek at the post-race press conference:The cold: “Just before we stepped in the bus, it was horrible. I was almost crying because my hands we so cold. Everyone knows the pain when cold hands are warming up. It was strange to do a few kilometres in the bus and then start again in the rain. It was hard mentally today. Riding for MTN – Qhubeka: ”A few people were surprised when I joined this team, but when I heard about the Qhubeka project and the people behind the team, I trusted them. I and the team captain, and I get the full support of all the riders in every race. Today I paid a little bit back to them.” Being here: “On the bus this morning, we were saying that just being here was like a victory. And then we finished the day with a real victory! We’re immensely grateful to RCS for giving us the chance to be here. I will remember today both for the snow, and the hard day, and the great victory at the end of it all.” | 
Gerald CIOLEK is the talk of the town tonight |
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