Vincenzo Nibali knows that winning Milano-Sanremo and worrying about the myriad scenarios that could unfold in the race is a thankless task.

Of course, as Nibali has experienced, the pressure is lessened if you have already won the race, but the Trek-Segafredo rider will take a relaxed approach when he lines up at the first monument of the season on Saturday morning.

Returning to racing at Strade Bianche, the 35-year-old crashed out with a hand injury, but bounced back to finish fifth at Gran Trittico Lombardo and 26th at Milano-Torino.

Although not in great form, Trek-Segafredo's leader remains a threat. Experience, the fact that the team has been reduced to six riders, and the fact that the RCS is somewhat unfamiliar with the changed route work in Nibali's favor.

"In 15 years of professional racing, I have competed in all of these races, and some, like Sanremo and Lombardia, I have hardly missed," the 2018 Milan-Sanremo winner said the night before the race.

"I've always wanted to race Milano-San Remo, even though it's one of the races that doesn't fit my characteristics the most because of its charm and history. I consider it a classica on fast wheels. Despite this, I have always tried to invent something. I've always tried to invent something: an attack from a distance, an attack near the finish line, an attack on an uphill or downhill.

"The fact that I won so many prizes almost put my mind at rest. And that year I didn't have to look for it, the race was in front of me. When I won, I crossed the finish line smiling. Winning was an unexpected gift."

RCS Sport has been forced to make numerous changes to the Milan-San Remo route in recent weeks, with the final version being tweaked the day before the race. Cipressa and Poggio remain, but most of the coastal road was removed. Meanwhile, pundits and riders believe that the addition of a new climb late in the race could tilt the race toward riders like Nibali and away from sprinters. Few riders will be able to properly scout this route, but the finale will remain the same.

Nibali insists that the route is only seen on paper and that the backroom staff will give important advice on key sections.

"To be honest, I only saw the new route on paper. On Saturday, I want to value the advice of the team and people I trust. My approach won't change.

"Milan-San Remo remains the longest classic and I want to perform well. So it is important to pay attention to every detail, from feeding during the race to managing positioning at critical moments to conserve energy. Other factors are unpredictable, even more so this year given the heat."

Nibali's race program this season is based on home roads, with the Giro d'Italia in the fall as his main goal. On Saturday, he will have a chance for a fourth monumental victory, and perhaps the veteran rider will have the last laugh.

"Racing in my home country is just another incentive for me to do well. I have never suffered from pressure or expectations. In my career, racing in my home country has always given me great pleasure. From a technical point of view, racing in Italy is always tough and fascinating."

"I think it is no exaggeration to say that Italy has some of the most beautiful races in the history of cycling. Cycling is deeply rooted in Bel Paese. Many of these races have been a school of hard learning for many riders, including myself."