The 28-year-old Slovakian Bora-Hansgrohe cyclist finished second in 2013 and last year, but if he is to reach the top of the podium he must find a way to beat the man who nipped past him to win last year, Poland's Team Sky rider Michal Kwiatkowski.

As reported by Cycling News, Sagan - who did the hard work to break clear in last year's race but carried Kwiatowski and Julian Alaphillipe in his wake - had sharp words for his Polish rival at a pre-race press conference.

"If you analyse how Kwiato won last year, then, if I win like that, I wouldn't be happy with my performance," Sagan, a triple world road race champion, said.

Kwiatkowski, who won the general classification at last week's Tirreno-Adriatico, responded: "Sometimes you don't win the races by being strongest, but you need to be the smartest."

At 291 kilometres in length, Milan-San Remo - first run in 1907 - is by far the longest one-day road race on the International Cycling Union World Tour and it demands patience as well as strength from its participants.

The third man from last year's winning move, Alaphilippe, had a promising ride in last week's Paris-Nice race and is part of a strong Quick-Step Floors team.

Elia Viviani and Philippe Gilbert also look to be likely contenders, along with Alexander Kristoff and Britain's Ben Swift.

Marcel Kittel's Milan-San Remo debut will draw plenty of attention, although the German, a multiple Grand Tour stage winner, has played down his prospects.

Others likely to show include Italy's Sacha Modolo and Vincenzo Nibali, and Denmark's Magnus Cort.